Gwen on her personal style…

I’ve always been someone who likes to look smart, that I’ve done my hair and put on my make-up, and I won’t leave the house unless I’ve made sure that everything matches and I feel ready to go. I’m not a fan of the high street shops at all.
I like things that are different. I go round antique and vintage shops a lot. I tend to spend my weekends shopping on E-Bay, and I’m in my element. I can get up at 9 o’clock and shop until 9 at night.

What’s been your best bargain?

A pair of boots that I saw in Ravel for £70. I got mine for a tenner. Anything I don’t use I take to sell in car boot sales or in auctions so I recoup whatever I’ve already spent on so there’s no waste.

These jackets look very similar to riding jackets – but with the corset at the back.

Yes. I’m very fond of lace – lace and corsets, they’re so feminine. I’m someone who does what they say they will,
I’m very determined. A few years ago I lost a lot of weight – about four stone – so I can wear things like this. I’m a big fan of corsets.

Gwen on shops…

I’m very fond of going to one shop especially in Ludlow.
The woman who owns the shop gets all her clothes from Milan so she only gets one of everything. So I love going there cos it’s a really feminine boutique and you get treated like a princess whilst you’re there.

Gwen on dressing up…

During the day I can go to work and so on and wear a skirt and top or trousers or a suit, but my delight is evening wear. I’d love to be some millionaire’s wife because I like evening wear and all the glitzy things and the bags and the accessories. I’m the sort of person once I put my mind to something I do it. About three years ago I came to a decision that I was going to change myself and I lost a lot of weight, about 4 stone in all.

Gwen on planning…

I plan carefully about what I’m going to wear for the whole week, and I do that the night before. That’s my Sunday night, taking everything I’m going to wear for the whole week out of the cupboard, iron them and hang them up – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and so on. Everything’s in place and everything matches and that’s the kind of person I am, I like to have everything in my life in order.