‘A dance between masculine and feminine’: A tailor’s style ethos

Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, tailor and founder of E Nolan, Emily Nolan.

How would you describe your style? Katharine Hepburn meets Cosmo Kramer. I like a high-low mix with an element of intrusion, like wearing a velvet suit with a band T-shirt or a menswear-style suit with shoes that have big bows on them. There’s always a dance between masculine and feminine.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I collect vintage dresses: short, lace, long-sleeve. My favourite is a ’70s black lace dress with gold lurex woven through it. I wear it with a chunky loafer when I go out dancing.

And the most recent addition? Wales Bonner x Adidas sneakers.

What are three essential items in your wardrobe? E Nolan chalk-stripe trousers, vintage men’s T-shirts and a shearling aviator jacket.

Any go-to jewellery? I wear a ring on every finger: gold on the left hand and silver on the right. My best friend, Bella Clark, is a jeweller; we buy stones and design them together. I also have a lot of re-purposed stones from my family. The left hand is a bit more of a pirate party, with a chunky skull ring and a smoky quartz ring. And I wear six pendant chains around my neck; I look like a bit of a mad gypsy.

What’s your fragrance of choice? I’ve worn “Chloé by Chloé” since I was 14. I’m a smoker, so I drench myself.

What would you wear …
… on a first date? I like a pub date; I’ll wear a trouser, a T-shirt and lots of jewellery.
… on a plane? A wool trouser, a baggy T-shirt and a cashmere overshirt I can put around my neck or use as a pillow. Coming home, I look like a hot mess trying to wear as much as possible because of the baggage allowance.
… on the red carpet? Cream, wide, pleated trousers with a cropped tuxedo jacket and a high, pointed shoe – think Bianca Jagger’s wedding suit cropped at the waist.