Fiona Phillips: I buy carefully and seldom. I¿d rather buy one expensive piece

By
Sarah Ewing
Last updated at 12:31 AM on 3rd March 2011

Television presenter Fiona Phillips — a
50-year-old mother-of-two — believes less is more in her utilitarian yet
chic wardrobe.

Fiona’s big break into TV was as CNN News’ entertainment
reporter, before joining GMTV in 1997, where she fronted the programme
for 11 years. She lives in London with her husband, former GMTV producer
Martin Frizell, and their sons Nathaniel, 11, and Mackenzie,
eight . 

Well-stocked wardrobe: Fiona Phillips loves the utilitarian military look

I love winter because I can wear skirts, thick tights and jumpers, so I’m chic and cosy. When it gets warmer, I like a classic black blazer with jeans and a stripe T-shirt.

I go for a pared-down, fairly boyish look, with lots of military-inspired items from Belstaff and Balenciaga. It’s probably because I was brought up in a household full of boys, but I have a tomboy sense of style.

I like very neutral colours — black, dark brown, navy and taupe — and I can’t stand pink! I need to feel at my best to pull off red, because it can either light up my face or drown it.

Sexy, fitted white shirts are some of the staples in my wardrobe. I’ve spent years searching for the perfect one.

I’ve finally hit upon Uniqlo: the fit is brilliant and they cost only £19.99, so I’ve got three of them.

And I recently saw someone wearing a Prada-esque smartly cut, figure-hugging hooded coat and it turned out it was Jil Sander for Uniqlo — so that’s now next on my list.

I like Calvin Klein for its casual classic clothing. I buy carefully and seldom. I’d rather buy one expensive piece than eight shoddy items.

One of my biggest regrets is not buying a brilliant Jonathan Saunders long, bright red, fine jersey dress a few years ago.

It had long sleeves and a crew neck, and the train flared out as it hit the ground. It was so sophisticated.

It was £1,200 and I’d have felt guilty spending that much — but in retrospect there are so many occasions when I would have worn it.  It still haunts me.

FIONA’S WARDROBE FAVOURITES

BIKER BOOTS

There are certain things in my
wardrobe that I keep coming back to . . . and I’ve had these black Jones
the Bootmaker boots for at least 15 years.

They’re obviously supposed to be
country hunting boots, given the detailing. I don’t know what I’ll do if
there comes a day when they can’t be repaired, but I would certainly
never throw them out.

TIBI DAY DRESS

I bought this dress from a
shop in New York. It’s a really gorgeous simple, black, crew-neck,
long-sleeved dress that sits just above the knee.

When I’ve spent too
long doing my face up and I’m in a rush, thinking ‘Oh my god, what am I
going to wear?, I feel confident knowing it always looks good — and it
can be easily dressed up for going out in the evening with high heels
and jewellery.

CITIZENS OF HUMANITY JEANS

I got these dark blue skinny jeans  on a photoshoot and never thought I’d fit into them, but they’re
amazing. I’ve only just recently taken them off for long enough to put
them in the wash. I also love my J Brand Houlihan jeans, in khaki and 
dark grey.

BELSTAFF JACKET

I love the military look — I don’t think
it ever goes out of fashion. My Belstaff jacket is a great
find. It’s a browny khaki colour and tight fitting. I practically live
in it. I look smart straight away whether I’m wearing it with jeans or
heels.

BURBERRY DRESS

I Have a simple Burberry dress in navy
with a slight sheen to it. Navy is a really classy colour — it’s not as
harsh as black — but I always have a dilemma about what colour shoes to
wear with it.

From left: A Tibi dress, Citizen of Humanity jeans and a Belstaff jacket

PRADA TOTE BAG

This Messenger bag fits in
perfectly with my boyish military look. It’s got a lovely postbag
detailing on the clasp, and I just sling it across me with everything,
including my laptop, stuffed in.

WOLFORD SATIN TIGHTS

I’ve been buying Wolford tights  for
years. They’re amazing. People always ask me where I got them. They do
cost £30, so they’re not cheap,  but I’ve got a pair that I’ve had — no
word of a lie — for 20 years. They just last and last.