Louise Pennington is a personal stylist based in Leeds. She specialises in providing personal styling for real women, but boasts an impressive global and celebrity client list. She tells us about fashion faux pas, her favourite trend and why you should always dress up
How did you get into fashion?
My journey into fashion began at a young age, working the one-day sales for Laura Ashley at the Great Yorkshire Showground. The energy was electric-busy, fast-paced, and full of excitement-and from the moment I stepped onto the shop floor, I was hooked. It lit so much of a spark in me that early in my career I went onto working for pretty much every retailer in Leeds & Manchester from Harvey Nichols to Zara.
Describe your look:
My style is modern, effortless, and timeless. I love blending high-end pieces with more accessible finds to strike the perfect balance -because looking great doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. For me, it all comes down to two things: quality fabrics and impeccable cuts.
Favourite brand or designer:
If we’re talking all-time favourite, it has to be Hermès-I’m obsessed with their aesthetic, from homeware to ready-to-wear. But for everyday style, I’d go with COS. They consistently deliver beautifully made high-street pieces that feel elevated yet wearable.
Louise shares her style of the day on her instagram @fashpackstyleStyle icon?
I don’t have just one style icon as such, I draw inspiration from a mix of different influencers. I especially love @flaviastuggen for her French, effortless style and @leivankash for her eclectic yet wearable approach to styling.
Favourite fashion item?
For me, it’s all about investing in high-end accessories. Timeless, well-made pieces can instantly elevate high street looks- and they’ll continue to do so for years to come. My advice? Buy the best you can afford when it comes to accessories.
What I wear to impress:
I always encourage my clients to lean slightly on the dressier side because let’s face it, no one ever regrets looking more polished and put together than an event or day dictates.
What I wear to relax:
I’m very all-or-nothing when it comes to getting dressed, I’m either fully put together or in my pajamas & a cashmere robe. Loungewear isn’t really my thing unless worn for a long haul flight and you’ll only ever catch me in leggings at the gym or a Pilates class.
Worst fashion faux pas?
An outfit you feel uncomfortable in oh & wearing crocs. They’re horrendous I don’t understand how they are so popular.
Favourite fashion trend of all time?
90’s minimal, Kate Moss/Johnny Depo era
Roxy Shahidi (ex-Emmerdale star) style by Louise. JAMES MELIA Best style advice?
My best advice? Ditch the leggings, wear great clothes, and have fun with fashion. Too many people live in leggings day in day out and I feel like they are missing out on the joy of truly getting dressed and maximising the clothes they have.
Most stylish celebrities?
I would probably opt for someone along the lines of Carolyn Besset Kennedy as a timelessly stylish celebrity.
The look I wish would come back
I don’t really have one specific look that I’m hoping comes back around again. I love that even when looks do come back around again there’s a modern spin on them. That keeps everything fresh.
What item has had its day and be confined to the back of the wardrobe?
This might be a controversial take, but I feel like the Dior Book Tote, LV neverful and Hermès Oran sandals have had their moment. With so many replicas out there, they’ve started to lose their appeal for me. I was a huge Oran fan, but I’ve actually begun selling mine on resale platforms like Vinted and Vestiaire. My top tip here if you want to hang onto them, would be to aim for more stand out styles and stay away from the plain colours like tan (gold) or white.
What’s next?
I’m looking forward to meeting more new clients from all over the world and working on their wardrobes remotely. I work with my clients on an app called Indyx (think Clueless the movie closet on your phone) using the app I can help my clients get dressed for big events, vacations and generally feel good day to day – no matter where they are in the world. I’m also looking forward to continuing to work on my Substack newsletters – giving clients weekly wish list of my most loved pieces plus real hints & tips on how to style up looks, straight into their inbox. It’s a great option for those looking for real advice from a personal stylist for less than a cup of coffee each month. Plus, styling up some more photoshoots, I’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing actresses helping them to look and feel their best.