Rachel Allen is one busy women with a CV that includes TV chef, author, journalist, teacher at Ballymaloe not to mention wife and mother to two young boys. Still she always manages to display panache and stylish elegance, looking effortlessly beautiful in, and out of, the kitchen. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Rachel at the recent M&S summer BBQ (it’s always one of the best summer bashes!) where she was giving a cookery demo. She also shared some of her sartorial tips with Help My Style.ie

Describe your style in five words?
Indecisive, wannabe quirky – ultimately classic.

What’s your beauty essential?
Lip balm.

What item could you not live without?
Touche eclat

If your house was on fire and you’d only time to save one thing, what would it be?
Apart from obviously my husband, children and dog, it would be my grandmother’s fur jacket from the 60s.

What’s top of your style wish list at the moment?
An Isabel Marant dress for autumn winter 2010 from Costume, and some cashmere from sphere one.

Best style tip?
Avoid orange fake tan

What’s in your handbag right now?
I’ve got everything from my boys rugby gum shields to a Bobbi Brown lipstick, the problem with a big bag is I seem to collect a lot of rubbish. I have boarding passes from three months ago in there!

Who is you style-crush?
A bit predictable, but Kate Moss.

Worst and/or best shopping experience?
It can be a worrying experience when I go shopping with my sister and she reminds me that I’m 38 not 18.

Favourite place to shop?
Costume on Castle Market St in Dublin and Brown Thomas. On the highstreet GAP.

Fashion on the web?
I never really get time to browse the web, though I keep meaning to buy something from Net a Porter.

Worst fashion moment?
The 80s.

What era of style would you most like see return to fashion?
I like the glamour of the 40s and the 50s.

Finally, what do you want your style to say about you?
I don’t really think about what my style says about me, I try and wear things that look good rather than make any particular statement.

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