The author who refuses to wear pants and chipped nail polish

Do you wear fragrance? Yes. I’ve worn Calvin Klein “Euphoria” my entire adult life.

Any go-to jewellery? My family have a jewellery store in The Rocks in Sydney, Jason Ree, that my grandfather started. I wear two rings designed by my uncle – one rose-gold with a black pearl and another with a pear-cut Australian sapphire, which is a design called “The Charlotte”.

Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? There was a matching pink, orange and navy striped shirt and pants set that I wore from age two until I was five. I would have kept wearing it if it still fitted. I was obsessed, I loved it.

And your worst fashion mistake? Knee-high rainbow socks.

What was your first fashion moment? My parent’s wedding. I was eight and wore an ivory silk flower-girl dress with a gold sash and a gerbera in my hair. I thought I was so beautiful.

Is there anything you’d never wear? Laddered stockings and chipped nail polish, two things my mother drilled into me as unacceptable.

Loading

What are you coveting? I’m on the hunt for the perfect long camel coat.

Is there a current fashion trend you like? I love a statement sleeve.

What shoes do you wear most often? White Veja “Esplar” sneakers.

What do you wear to bed? A T-shirt my partner got me from Wylie’s Baths in Coogee. We often do laps there and then have the $10 breakfast plate – the best, cheapest breakfast in Sydney!

Do you have a favourite fashion icon? Susie Cave. I think she’s exquisite. And I adore that she’s bringing elegant dresses back. High-necked but not too demure, they’re beautiful, classic and timeless.

What do you wear on a typical working day? If I’m heading into the office for my day job as head of marketing at Pan Macmillan, it might be a silk skirt with a sweater and sneakers. If I’m doing a photo shoot for my side hustle writing content and cookbooks, it will be a statement dress – Aje, Lee Mathews or Bec + Bridge.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? I’ll be reading, cooking or swimming, so leggings and a Uniqlo sweater, or an oversized T-shirt and swimmers. Casual, no make-up, not bougie.

Heartbake (Allen & Unwin) by Charlotte Ree will be published in March 2023.

To read more from Sunday Life magazine, click here.

Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.