Mandy Baggot

Hello everyone - I hope Friday finds you well! Wiltshire is currently being battered by that really wet rain, you know the type, it falls in a mist and soaks everything! But enough of weather talk or I'll start sounding like my husband!

Today I want to ask your opinion on business dress. I recently had my Style Day with the lovely Anita Marsh from House of Colour. The Style Day is the next step after having had my Colour Day, when I found out that black was not one of my best colours and coral and green definitely were! The Style Day told me my style was Natural Romantic and that I would be advised to wear unstructured clothes (suit jackets with structured shoulders and collars were out) and no frills or flounces (fine by me). However I am having a real problem with shoes!

I love shoes! When I was in my twenties I had dozens of pairs of shoes, all heel heights, none of which I could walk in and that was fine. Now however I buy for comfort! When I am out signing books I am usually walking the high street to get there, trailing a suitcase with a backpack on my back. Although I want to look like the successful authoress that I am, I also want to get to end of the day without blisters from Hell or the balls of my feet on fire. I am on my feet ALL day and there is nothing worse than having sore feet when you're trying to feel confident about approaching person number 150 and trying to sell your book.

I wear boots, I wear sandals, I wear shoes that wouldn't make it to the catwalk but my cats could probably walk in them. Do I really need a 'nice' court shoe? Can I see myself trotting about in a little pump or a kitten heel? Should I put my image before my comfort? Have I got so used to seeing myself in boots that they have become part of the Lady Baggot persona?

I would love to hear what you think about the importance of business dress and in particular, shoes! This Lady needs your help!

Mandy xx