Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me: Lessons in Grace and Elegance [Hardcover]

‘The fairy godmother doling out advice is the eminently stylish  Lucia van der Post, who manages never to patronise her reader or – as other guides do –  write as though she has been lobotomised . . . Her tips on simple but treacherously difficult things like how best to wear black are vital reading’

'With no-nonsense bravura she filters out the rubbish and highlights the ways to age glamorously, dress chicly, entertain fabulously, be a supportive and warm friend, mother and wife . . . Insightful, practical and poignant'

'Poised, elegant and idiosyncratic, Lucia is the grande dame of style . . . Good advice was never so glam'

'Finishing school in a book'

'If the word elegance touches you in a deep, primal place, then this book will do it for you . . . this book is soaked in the essence of van der Post, heady but grounded with earthy undertones'

'Much-adored journalist crafts wise words about fashion, fun and family'

'A lot of information packed into this single volume, from how to dress for your age to the author's pick of the best cleansers and moisturizers available'

'Some tips are common sense while others are authoritative gems of insight. The Financial Times sage avoids being patronising, and offers an entertaining read, even if many tips are achievable only with a good wage'

Packed full of golden rules from one of Britain’s most stylish women, Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me is a woman’s companion for life. Lucia van der Post reveals the secrets of dressing stylishly with advice on everything from how to organise your wardrobe, what to wear to travel and where to buy delicious underwear, great cashmere and sassy skirts. Practical health and beauty tips will help you to choose a sophisticated scent, get fitter and decide whether cosmetic surgery is for you.
Once you’ve mastered looking fantastic, learn how to add some elegance to other areas of your life. Discover great shortcuts to entertaining your guests as well as suggestions, from designers around the world, on how to make your home match the elegant new you. With advice on relationships, motherhood and how to juggle work, love and children, this is the essential handbook for women of all ages. Whether you are just starting out in life or want to age gracefully and make 60 the new 40, let Lucia van der Post guide you towards a new life and a new you – with a touch of style.

Lucia van der Post has a weekly style advice column, 'Ask Lucia', in The Times . She was the founding editor of the Financial Times's How to Spend It magazine and has also written for the New Statesman, Departures and many others.