Multitalented Camilla Balshaw is an creator, inventive writing mentor and yoga instructor. On the age of 55, she printed her first e book, Named, part-memoir, part-exploration of the way names form us ( extra main points HERE). Which has simply been shortlisted for the East Anglian Ebook Awards 2025. When now not writing herself, Camilla teaches writing and mentors different writers, on-line and face-to-face.
Camilla has been practicing yoga for 3 many years, first of all educating yoga categories round London – in conjunction with drama/acting arts, part-time in schools. ‘I taught about 12 yoga categories per week plus quite a lot of non-public yoga shoppers on best of drama, two days per week. I used to be almost definitely exhausted – however I used to be younger with an excessive amount of power!’ Now her way of life is extra zen. For the closing 16-years she has lived in Norfolk together with her husband Mike and their canine Mr. Baxter. She’s co-director of the Norfolk Yoga Centre and reveals that writing and yoga paintings nicely in combination, ‘ It lends itself very well – sitting down for lengthy classes of time adopted by way of yoga practise to get me off my bottom!’
Born and raised in Luton, Camilla has all the time been occupied with style, ‘On the time, I feel other people concept that I wore peculiar outfits, like my mum’s seventies jumpsuits.’ However garments have all the time been vital to me.’
We met up in London for a talk about taste and what Camilla wears:
Have you ever all the time loved style and growing a novel glance?
Rising up in Luton within the 80s, garments and golf equipment have been my glad position. The 2 have been synonymous. In my past due teenagers, on a Saturday morning, I’d pull a sickie from my Saturday task, hop at the educate London, mooch round second-hand stores, and head to Hyper Hyper on Kensington Top Side road. Again then, you have been much more likely to get into golf equipment in London, corresponding to The Wag, The Pig or the Electrical Ballroom, in case your style alternatives have been daring and stood out from the gang. And that’s stayed with me. There may be that component of individuality that’s nonetheless there. Now, I regulate style developments, however I don’t love to observe style. Maximum developments proceed to move me by way of. In terms of garments, I’ve all the time most well-liked individuality over the rest.
The place does it stem from?
I’m now not certain, however I’m an Aquarius, and we have a tendency to be fairly single-minded and unbiased. I’ve no doubt were given a few of my love of garments from my mom. She’s in her mid-eighties now and impeccably well-turned out. One thing she attributes to her Jamaican upbringing, the place you might be inspired to appear your easiest, irrespective of the cases.
Footage: Neil Mackenzie Matthews
What are your favorite feel-good garments?
If I don’t really feel comfy in my garments, I received’t put on them. Convenience is essential. I really like being sensible however curious, and I favor herbal materials. I no doubt gravitate in opposition to garments that make me really feel comfy. I’ve additionally embraced color. In 2017, on my first shuttle to Nigeria, a well-meaning cousin advised me that I had ‘attention-grabbing style sense,’ her phrases, which, coming from this actual cousin, was once a praise. After which she advised me I wore an excessive amount of black, which stunned me. I didn’t assume I wore darkish colors, however compared to the colourful Nigerian ladies in vibrant head wraps and clothes, I did. The shuttle to Nigeria encouraged me to embody color in techniques I hadn’t earlier than. Since then, I’ve made an effort. If I’m dressed in a dark-coloured outfit, I can offset this with a yellow necktie, a vibrant satin scarf, or vibrant tights or socks. My cousin was once proper. A snip of color can in reality raise your temper and create a burst of light.
How do you determine what is going with what?
I’ve well-worn favourites. A comfortable, outsized jumper that I’ve worn for years, which is sort of a advantageous wine. It is going with the rest. I will pair it with trousers, slouchy denims or a get dressed. It’s a kind of go-to pieces in my dresser, and I’ve a couple of of the ones. That’s why I to find it tough to provide garments away, or to charity. After I do, I am hoping anyone else captures the spirit and tale of the outfit. Positive garments comprise tales – the striped linen jacket (pictured beneath) was once from Bang Bang, one among my favorite classic stores on Goodge Side road, about 20-years in the past. Unfortunately, it’s now closed. The jacket is falling to bits, however I like it. I purchased it after I left London and it was once like a marker of transferring away to someplace new.
When I’m operating on a writing venture, I spend lots of the day sitting, so at ease garments are a should. And I are living in an outdated and chilly area, so heat layers are very important. After I’m educating yoga, I wish to put on Adidas leggings (they do a little nice unfashionable leggings) and a cotton t-shirt. In the summertime, I’ll put on shorts.
How are you aware when an outfit is correct?
You have got an internal feeling when an outfit is correct. When it feels proper, an outfit doesn’t want to scream for consideration; it’s all about that easy, at ease self assurance you’re feeling in your self when an outfit works, and you realize instinctively when it doesn’t. Garments are such the most important a part of expressing who you might be. While you get it proper, you include the garments and rock the glance. It seems like an exhalation.
Do you could have a method signifier? (one thing that may motive your folks to mention’ oh that’s so Camilla!’)
I nonetheless have a poncho I purchased, virtually 30-years in the past, in Japan. I don’t put on it very steadily, but if I do, it brings again recollections of residing and dealing in Tokyo in my twenties. My capes, ponchos, hats, berets, and head wraps are a continuing taste signifier. They’re no doubt ‘that’s so Camilla!’ pieces of clothes. The tweed cape is an homage to my Jap poncho ( which is a little bit knackered now), it’s from Jaeger. I purchased the cape at a cut price outlet about 10-years in the past – it was once at the decreased rail as it had a button lacking. I feel I were given it for approximately 50 quid. Now and again you simply discover a gem!
You combine classic with a couple of choose manufacturers – the place do you store for garments?
When I used to be a lot more youthful, I loved searching for garments, however now, I don’t. There are specific manufacturers I can deal with myself to every now and then. The jersey get dressed is from LF Markey (purchased within the sale). It’s super-comfy, simple to transport round in and it feels nice. The block colors paintings with my pores and skin tone. The rust jumpsuit is from Plumo – additionally within the sale! It’s great to put on autumn colors and I will get dressed it up or down. The honest isle waistcoat (underneath my striped jacket) is classic and my denims are an outdated pair from & Different Tales. I additionally like Kemi Telford and Provider Corporate. My glasses are from Cubitts.
If I’m on vacation someplace, mooching round a town or the city, I love to mooch round and are available throughout stores spontaneously. Closing yr, I used to be within the Lake District, and I got here throughout a super second-hand store. I really like discovering hidden away stores and garments I can put on time and time once more.
How would you describe your taste?
My taste has developed. In this day and age, I really like dressed in Blundstone boots with the whole thing! I’ve fairly an eclectic glance, and I really like the sophisticated main points – a brooch that I’ve discovered, a vivid scarf, or colored tights. I may put on one thing sudden that sparks dialog however doesn’t dominate. And perhaps throw in some vintage-inspired components too, as a result of I like mixing the outdated with the brand new.
Any pointers or tips for my readers – on dressing with self assurance?
One thing I’ve realized with age is to understand your are compatible. Garments that are compatible nicely make an enormous distinction. Dressed in color is a temper enhancer and will do wonders to your self assurance. I’m a yoga instructor and a creator, and I’m repeatedly eulogising concerning the significance of posture! So the way you put on your garments issues simply up to what you put on. And, when you’re feeling nice on your frame, you glance nice. Ah, the fun of yoga!
Don’t overthink your alternatives. I do mentally/ visually take into accounts what I’m going to put on however I don’t agonise over issues. It’s a pleasant procedure. Now and again self assurance comes from simplicity. Accept as true with your intestine and put on what feels proper within the second. And consider, convenience is essential.
In finding out extra about Camilla Balshaw HERE. And take a look at the fall taste updates within the SHOP.
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This submit was once printed on
thatsnotmyage.com
on October 20, 2025 and written by way of Alyson Walsh.
