Meet the fabulous ladies from Wear and Where…

What made you take the decision to do this full time? 

Alex has been freelance for years, but my decision to make the shift to freelance life (and therefore spend more time on the blog) was mostly to do with what worked best for my family. I loved my job at Glamour, but the set-up at home required more flex. My children need me more as they get older (no one tells you that! When they’re little, it’s so demanding, but it’s about a physical need; now I see how my daughter needs us mentally and emotionally as she navigates school and friendships and life). My husband who works crazy hours at a very demanding job: it just made sense for me to work my career around the family.There was also the ‘what next?’ factor. What next for my career? How could I develop it without pursuing the next ‘big’ job as an editor? What next for the blog? We’d pottered along, enjoying ourselves, letting it grow organically – but we wanted to make it our business. Working for myself allows me to start answering those questions.

And the worst?

Alex: The juggle! Having different hats on can be hard. I’m often behind with deadlines – for everything! And sometimes I find it hard to focus on a – how do I say this diplomatically? – less interesting copy writing project when I’d much rather be doing something for Wear & Where! I think life would be easier if I just worked on one thing!

Natasha: I’m a social creature – I loved working in an office. The team at Glamour was an amazing one and they inspired me and made me laugh every single day. I miss that.
More seriously, I didn’t consider what a Big Deal it would be for me to take a step back from my career. I’ve wanted to be a journalist since forever. I built my career over years, I was proud of where I worked, what I’d achieved. I was so focused on doing my best for my family, I neglected to think how it would affect me. But I’m getting there!

What is your go to style? 

Alex: ‘Dragged through a hedge backwards’. Joking! Not joking – ok, so in the mornings, it tends to be what I find on my chair. I’m very disorganised and have never been able to plan an outfit for the next day – unless it’s a big meeting or event. I am at heart a tomboy so when it’s warm enough, I’m often bare legged (in jeans/shorts/trousers/dresses) with trainers or sandals. I also don’t like anything tight, so a loose-fitting midi-dress with white trainers is my idea of heaven.

Natasha: Winter: slightly cropped trousers (anything from cut-off straight jeans to leather leggings), flats, a great knit.Summer: Dresses! Pretty white blouse with jeans/khakis/quite frankly anything.I like to think of it as a little bit French. At least, this is what I aspire to.

What is your ‘cannot live without it’ item? 

Alex: Trainers! And earrings…

Natasha: The aforementioned pretty white blouse. They have a dedicated section in my wardrobe. I keep telling myself I don’t need anymore. But then I see one and, poof, my good intentions vanish in the proverbial puff of smoke. Either that or a Breton. Predictable but I can’t help it. Great on ‘mama’ days with jeans; great dressed up with a leopard print coat for a meeting; just great…

What would you wear for a night out? 

Alex: I do love a jumpsuit. I also tend to wear heels on a night out. And jewellery. Lots of jewellery.

Natasha: It depends who I’m going out with. Girlfriends? A dress. My husband? Probably my leather skinnies (he’s a big fan). Statement earrings or gold hoops. More mascara than usual. Done.

What are the last three things you bought? 

Alex: A patterned/pleated midi-skirt from H&M, a pair of navy side stripe trousers from Zara and a leopard print shirt from Samsoe + Samsoe.

Natasha: A gorgeous cream knit from Sezane (I love absolutely everything they do). (Like this but cream.)

This striped knit from & Other Stories. (Look, it’s RED. I did’t have a red one)

Ahem. A pretty white top I failed to walk past in Zara. (Could I be more predictable?)

What will you be wearing for S/S? 

Alex: A variation on my usual theme, so trainers and bare ankles definitely. I’m preferring trousers at the moment to jeans, so am on the hunt for a lovely patterned pair with a slouchy, boyish cut. When it’s warm enough, I’ll throw on a midi dress.

Natasha: HOPEFULLY, oodles of pretty sundresses. I have my eye on some I spotted at the  Monsoon and Next press days, and I’ve bought a Free People ‘Love of my Life’ dress, which I am looking forward to wearing. I will be accessorising with baskets. Come the summer, I definitely dress like I’m wafting along the cobbled streets of a village in Southern France rather than pounding the pavements of west London.

 Where are your favourite places to buy your clothes?

Alex: High Street – H&M, Zara, Cos – I used to have a bad Cos habit a few years ago. I also like & Other Stories. Slightly more expensive brands I like include Me + Em, Hush and Samsoe + Samsoe. I’d love a Lily & Lionel or Rixo dress!

Natasha: & Other Stories, Zara, H&M for a quick fix (they do some amazing stuff, don’t they?)…but I really do shop everywhere from M&S to Asos via Hush, Mango and Boden. You have to keep your eyes peeled as you never know where you might spot a gem. If I’m spending a bit more, I love Sezane, Iris & Ink at The Outnet, and Isabel Marant Etoile. In my dreams, I’d wear Ulla Johnson and Zimmerman.

 How do you like to dress the kids? 

Alex: They like to dress themselves! My son’s favourite outfit (and mine) is a pair of black and white striped trousers from Wild & Gorgeous teamed with a jumper.

Stripe Skinny Trouser

Natasha: My husband has just come in from work and I asked him to describe the children’s style and he says: Claudia is French and Archie is preppy.  It’s pretty accurate: there’s an abundance of navy and muted colours and stripes. Although I’m not sure how preppy Archie is: admittedly, he wears a lot of stripes (we all do. There are weekends when I think one of us ought to change before we leave the house), but he also wears jogging bottoms most days as they’re practical for nursery. Not convinced they’d cut it in Paris. Claudia is still in the pretty dresses stage (although she is super cool in her denim short dungarees with a print – or, yes, white – blouse), which I love and am embracing for as long as it lasts. (Long live the Liberty print!)