Five super-stylish Yorkshire women show their new ‘outfit of the day’ looks for the way we live now

The pandemic has changed the way we buy and wear our clothes. Five Yorkshire women who love fashion tell Stephanie Smith how their style has changed to adapt to the “new normal” way of life.
Lucy Playford, who blogs as Harrogate Mama, on the Stray in Harrogate. Photographer: Steph SimmonsLucy Playford, who blogs as Harrogate Mama, on the Stray in Harrogate. Photographer: Steph Simmons
Lucy Playford, who blogs as Harrogate Mama, on the Stray in Harrogate. Photographer: Steph Simmons
By Stephanie Smith
Published 15th Jan 2021, 16:45 BST
Updated 15th Jan 2021, 17:07 BST

As we approach a full year of not going out, with special events and evenings out put on hold and office work carried out at home and over Zoom, many of us have adopted a new way of dressing to go with our new way of life.

At first it was all about the joggers and leisurewear but slowly a new-found confidence in fashion has emerged, with easy, hybrid, multi-purpose pieces to mix and match, wear indoors and out, for work, play and for exercise, becoming the new norm. As we have turned our living spaces into offices, schools, gyms and home cinemas and our gardens into holiday destinations, so our wardrobe has adapted to be ready for anything – and nothing.

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Here five super-stylish Yorkshire women describe their new style...

Lucy Playford is getting active every day in Harrogate. Photographer: Steph Simmons Photography @StephSimmonsPhotos; make-up: Chrys Chapman @MUA_Chrys.Chapman Lucy wears Marks and Spencer Good Move range Go Move cropped gym leggings (worn over black leggings), £19.50; thermal hooded long-sleeve running top, £29.50; quilted bomber jacket, £45.Lucy Playford is getting active every day in Harrogate. Photographer: Steph Simmons Photography @StephSimmonsPhotos; make-up: Chrys Chapman @MUA_Chrys.Chapman Lucy wears Marks and Spencer Good Move range Go Move cropped gym leggings (worn over black leggings), £19.50; thermal hooded long-sleeve running top, £29.50; quilted bomber jacket, £45.
Lucy Playford is getting active every day in Harrogate. Photographer: Steph Simmons Photography @StephSimmonsPhotos; make-up: Chrys Chapman @MUA_Chrys.Chapman Lucy wears Marks and Spencer Good Move range Go Move cropped gym leggings (worn over black leggings), £19.50; thermal hooded long-sleeve running top, £29.50; quilted bomber jacket, £45.

Lucy Playford - Harrogate

Lucy is a freelance social media manager and a lifestyle and parenting blogger. She lives in Harrogate with her husband and three children.

“This winter you’re going to be seeing me wearing a lot more sportswear. Aside from the comfort it offers while continuing to work from home and juggling the school run, I’m prioritising getting active. It is good for our physical health and mental wellbeing, and this January we’ve never needed that more.

“To keep me motivated I’m taking part in #MoveforMind, which is a pledge to get active every day in January, while also raising money for the charity Mind.

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Alana Mazza's favourite outfit: "The top is a black roll-neck with a knitted front and arms, and the back is pure silk, so it flows and is a wonderful length, covering the derriere. The beautiful soft flowing silk trousers have a gorgeous abstract flower print, giving a modern feel. They are so comfortable but very stylish, perfect for dinner out, dinner at home or daytime lunches, and they can be worn with boots, or the kitten heel, my favourite from Hobbs. My designer daughter in law described this look as ‘contemporary London but so Italian’ and I will take that."Alana Mazza's favourite outfit: "The top is a black roll-neck with a knitted front and arms, and the back is pure silk, so it flows and is a wonderful length, covering the derriere. The beautiful soft flowing silk trousers have a gorgeous abstract flower print, giving a modern feel. They are so comfortable but very stylish, perfect for dinner out, dinner at home or daytime lunches, and they can be worn with boots, or the kitten heel, my favourite from Hobbs. My designer daughter in law described this look as ‘contemporary London but so Italian’ and I will take that."
Alana Mazza's favourite outfit: "The top is a black roll-neck with a knitted front and arms, and the back is pure silk, so it flows and is a wonderful length, covering the derriere. The beautiful soft flowing silk trousers have a gorgeous abstract flower print, giving a modern feel. They are so comfortable but very stylish, perfect for dinner out, dinner at home or daytime lunches, and they can be worn with boots, or the kitten heel, my favourite from Hobbs. My designer daughter in law described this look as ‘contemporary London but so Italian’ and I will take that."

“I love the Good Move range from Marks & Spencer. It features lots of key trends – bright neons and bold prints – plus it’s great quality and affordable.

“With no events to attend during the pandemic, no work clothes or evening wear to shop for, I’ve changed my spending habits on fashion.

“I’ve been buying more casualwear and invested in higher quality pieces from local independents like Violet in Harrogate whose HGTE branded sweatshirts, hoodies and caps support the Harrogate Homeless Project.”

* Lucy Playford writes a Harrogate lifestyle blog - www.HarrogateMama.com – and you can follow her on social media @HarrogateMama

Model agency owner Bernadette Gledhill wears cargo trousers in winter white & black satin; satin animal print shirt; oversized knit cardigan. All Zara.Model agency owner Bernadette Gledhill wears cargo trousers in winter white & black satin; satin animal print shirt; oversized knit cardigan. All Zara.
Model agency owner Bernadette Gledhill wears cargo trousers in winter white & black satin; satin animal print shirt; oversized knit cardigan. All Zara.

Alana Mazza - Lazio, Italy

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In 2016 Alana and her husband Joe, sold their Huddersfield home and left their careers – Joe had a hairdressing business and Alana was retail director of Hobbs – to start Casale San Pietro, a boutique B&B farmhouse in Lazio, where they specialise in offering food, wellbeing and cultural breaks.

Alana says: “There is much more sunshine in Italy. Joe and I eat lunch out in December. We still need umbrellas and a light mac, but nowhere near as much as Yorkshire.

“The summer is much longer – it is warm from the end of April through to October, and that is when I wear linen and cotton. When I meet guests, I like simple but stylish outfits, usually a linen dress or a loose top with crop trousers. I do have a lot of statement necklaces, which add a twist.”

Leeds-based influencer Ruth Preston wears Gap puffa jacket and boots by Shoe The Bear.Leeds-based influencer Ruth Preston wears Gap puffa jacket and boots by Shoe The Bear.
Leeds-based influencer Ruth Preston wears Gap puffa jacket and boots by Shoe The Bear.

Alana’s favourite trans-season look is a black roll-neck and loose print trousers by Liviana Conti. “The back is pure silk, so it flows and is a wonderful length, covering the derriere. The soft flowing silk trousers have a gorgeous abstract flower print, giving a modern feel. They are so comfortable but very stylish, perfect for dinner out, dinner at home or daytime lunches, and they can be worn with boots, or the kitten heel, my favourite from Hobbs. My daughter-in-law, a designer, described this look as ‘contemporary London but so Italian’, and I will take that.

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“Since moving to Italy and discovering Liviana Conti, it has become my go-to favourite designer.”

Scroll down to see more outfits from Alana.

* Casale San Pietro is open for Easter 2021 for its Easter break event and the Step into Spring break with sightseeing and pampering, both in April. www.casalespietro.com/events/

Bernadette Gledhill - Huddersfield

Bernadette is owner of the Bernadette Gledhill agency, offering modelling, style and confidence training and fashion events. She lives with her husband in Huddersfield and has produced the catwalk shows at the Great Yorkshire Show since 1997.

Annie Stirk wears Barbour quilted fibre down coat from the Coastal collection; cashmere crewneck jumper; Cabi leopard print joggers and snow boots from Manas.Annie Stirk wears Barbour quilted fibre down coat from the Coastal collection; cashmere crewneck jumper; Cabi leopard print joggers and snow boots from Manas.
Annie Stirk wears Barbour quilted fibre down coat from the Coastal collection; cashmere crewneck jumper; Cabi leopard print joggers and snow boots from Manas.

“It goes without saying that 2020 was the strangest year I can ever remember for fashion. However, I think it has made us all rethink the way we dress. We are now adapting to living in casual wear and looking for softer, cosier outfits for both working from home and relaxing. It’s very important though to ensure that we feel good about ourselves and I am a great believer that if you feel good it shows.

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