This title is misleading, as I’m definitely not one of the ladies who lunch – I work, I’m not rich, I don’t spend my days shopping and I haven’t had a proper lunch for weeks. What’s even more important, being a lady like that is not something I’ve ever aspired to: it’s pretty much the opposite of my ideal woman. Not that I mind a spot of shopping or eating, but I would be terrified if that was it.

As a style reference, however, I have always found ‘ladies who lunch’ quite useful. I don’t associate it with a specific look, but with a general aesthetic: expensive-looking; polished; feminine, but not sexy; lots of white and beige and some pastels. You can do all these things in a modern way, but I always imagine a lunching lady to be conservatively dressed – possibly because the concept itself seems to me terribly old-fashioned.

This genre has its uses, as there are occasions when I feel that looking like I have more money than I actually do is a good thing. These situations are limited and quite similar in nature: visiting an expensive boutique, eating in an extremely posh, traditional restaurant and checking in at a luxury hotel. I know I shouldn’t care and most of the time I sincerely don’t, but I am not perfect and there are moments when I have no energy to deal with the contempt of snobby waiters. Especially if I have not chosen the place myself and am there on someone else’s terms – in a work situation, for example -, I personally feel that dressing like a American socialite from the past can be helpful.

To pull it off, you don’t need to spend on high-end brands (although a bag with the right logo never hurts), but quality fabrics are a must. Cashmere, silk, tweed, the usual suspects. A good bag, great shoes – again, if they are good quality and in a classic shape, they don’t have to be Hermes. Keep the cuts simple and the colour palette restrained and unlike with most looks these days, you can go matchy-matchy – the aim is not to look fashionable, but elegant and pulled together.

This concept also demands good hair, good skin and good nails. A great blow-dry more than makes up for the lack of the designer handbag. I would go with neutral make-up and nails, but apply everything very, very carefully. This might also be the time to use some powder, I have a feeling that The Ladies don’t have shiny foreheads. And the scent: I think Chanel Beige is ideal. First, it’s called Beige. Second, it’s an extremely expertly done floral that smells refined and is almost impossible to dislike, but it’s not avant-garde by any means.

On the pictures, I’m wearing a dress and a coat from Aldo Järvsoo’s latest collection. The fabric is beautiful and feels lovely. This set is surprisingly easy to wear, as the shape is forgiving and you just need to pick your shoes and bag and go. To keep it from being too OTT, I’m wearing flats (by Nicholas Kirkwood), no jewelry and for once, I’ve gone for bare legs, to keep it from being too retro.

Not sure I’m fooling anyone else, but I definitely feel like a million dollars. Which is, of course, the point.