Jayne Torvill: I’ve always tried to follow current fashions

Jayne: ‘I’m not out to make a bold fashion statement, preferring to blend in rather than stand out’

Ice skater Jayne Torvill, 52, won gold with Christopher Dean at the 1984 Winter Olympics. Now an expert alongside Christopher on ITV’s Dancing On Ice, Jayne is married to Phil Christensen and lives in Sussex with their two children. She says:

I’ve always been interested in clothes. When I was 16 and earning my first wage at Norwich Union in Nottingham, I’d spend my lunch hours window-shopping, before returning at weekends to treat myself to something.

I’ve always tried following current fashions. I’m not out to make a bold fashion statement, preferring to blend in rather than stand out.

As I’ve got older I’ve become increasingly aware of what’s acceptable for me.

Being only 5ft 2in, I opt for fitted clothes because anything baggy drowns me. If I want to dress up a little, I’ll choose cotton skirts and tops or a blouse with jeans.

Whenever I’m at home, I’ll go for a casual look because it’s important to feel comfortable, especially as I’m always dressing up for work.

I’ll usually pick Banana Republic T-shirts and jeans.

I buy a lot of black clothes because I think it’s a flattering colour, but I also enjoy wearing pinks and purples. Red is a good colour for me because I’ve got very blue eyes.

But for spring and summer, I wear a lot of whites, creams and beiges – nothing too startling! It’s funny how fashions change.

Last year, Chris [Dean] and I were looking back at pictures from the Eighties and couldn’t believe the clothes we wore.

Back then, we thought we were trendy. I will never forget the day Chris and I attended the Palace to receive our OBEs in 2000.

Among the crowds, I noticed another woman wearing the same outfit, a light purple dress and coat from Planet. I spent the entire time trying to avoid her like the plague.

I’ve tended to hoard clothes – that is, until I had a walk-in wardrobe built last summer. It was the opportune moment to have a massive clear-out. I threw loads out, including ten pairs of jeans.

There weren’t too many accessories to throw away because I’m not really into them. I’m too lazy to bother changing jewellery and handbags. I worry that if I keep changing bags, I’ll forget to put everything in.

Jayne enjoys wearing pinks and purples. She says red is a good colour for her because she’s got blue eyes

My clothes don’t have to come from top designers, although I do like certain labels. Karen Millen is one of my favourites, as is Matthew Williamson, whose designs are often quirky.

I love cashmere and have one of his cardigans. It’s pink with little red stars and I bought it in Belfast. My favourite shops include Coast, Mango and Zara.

PURPLE BARBARA SCHWARZER DRESS

I bought this long-sleeved dress from La Belle Femme’s boutique in Tunbridge Wells.

The company stocks special occasion outfits and I bought this for a charity event I was attending. I received plenty of compliments so have worn it several times since, including to this year’s National Television Awards.

Purple is a colour that suits me and the cut of the dress means it fits nicely. I was surprised when I tried it on because on the hanger it looked like a material that wouldn’t stretch much, but it does. In fact, it looks better on than off.

Striking colour and great cut gives this Barbara Schwarzer dress, left, the edge, while this Jimmy Choo bag is the perfect size for evening use

JIMMY CHOO HANDBAG

My husband, Phil, bought me this black evening bag last Christmas. He’s very good at choosing items for me and certainly made the right choice here.

It was a present, so I’m not sure where he got it. It’s made of lovely soft leather and is the perfect size for evening use.

As it’s not sparkly or too decorative, it can be used for informal occasions, too. I’ve been working so much since Christmas I’ve only used it once.

MARC JACOBS SHOES

My stylist on Dancing On Ice is excellent when it comes to deciding what designs and colours suit me. He got it right with these shoes from American designer Marc Jacobs.

These deep blue sequinned Marc Jacobs shoes with a little black bow are not only super pretty but very comfortable

I gather loads of shoes by the end of a series or tour and give lots away. Some are too uncomfortable and remain in my wardrobe while others, like these, become favourites.

They’re deep blue sequined with a little black bow and so pretty – and very comfortable.

Not only does this Feyem ski jacket, left, look good, it’s also versatile; while this brown Fenwick hat is useful for weddings or smart occasions

WARDROBE CHECKLIST

• TROUSERS/JEANS: About 25. The jeans, which are boot-cut and straight leg, are mainly blue, although I’ve got two white pairs: one by Karen Millen, the other Ben Sherman. I like G-Star jeans and have eight pairs. I have threequarter-length and full-length trousers, mostly in cotton.

• BLOUSES/SHIRTS: At least 30. Most are cotton and plain – a reflection, perhaps, of me not being very adventurous. Anything too fussy doesn’t suit me. Plain and shaped rather than busy and bright is better. One of my favourites is in white cotton with a pink floral design . I bought it two years ago near Cannes at a Sunday market for £10.

• DRESSES/SKIRTS: Around 20, including a red three-quarterlength sleeved shift dress from Reiss in London (far left). I wore it for my 50th birthday party.

• BAGS: I have only six handbags and four evening bags, including a lovely tortoise shell-coloured bag from up-and-coming Bulgarian designer Neri Karra.

• SHOES: Probably around 30 pairs. For everyday use, I choose low, comfortable shoes, but you can’t beat high heels with a dress.

• COATS: I have five ski jackets and about six coats.

I love ski jackets and wear them all the time when training on ice because they keep you so warm.

Of the five hanging in my wardrobe this maroon Feyem design is my favourite.

I bought it from a local boutique in Tunbridge Wells. It cost around £300, but was worth it because it’s well made.

Like all Feyem’s products, it was manufactured in Italy and not only does it look good, but it’s versatile and the elasticity means it doesn’t feel bulky.

BCBG MAX AZRIA SKIRT

I bought this in America last year. We were on holiday near Chicago and it was very warm and all I wanted to wear was light clothing to keep as cool as possible.

We had popped into an outlet mall and I saw this pale beige cotton skirt in a BCBG Max Azria shop.

It has a pretty hem and lace panels sewn into the material. It was less than £50, so I snapped it up and wore it to death during our holiday. And I am sure it will be making an appearance this summer, too.

I wore this brown hat to the Princess Diana Concert at Wembley Stadium in 2007. As we’d been invited to the VIP area we had to dress smartly, so I went on the hunt for a hat and bought this in Fenwick, I can’t remember how much it cost.

I liked the colour and the extra touch of detail the feathers provide. It’s rather stiff, but easy to wear so will come in useful for weddings.

In 2006 we made a series of Dancing On Ice in Australia. I was out shopping one day and spotted these straight-cut jeans.

I can’t remember how much they cost, but they weren’t too expensive. R. M. Williams has become a famous label. When the company was formed, it made cattle wear for farmers who wanted strong shoes, coats and trousers.

Then, a few years ago, it suddenly became trendy to wear their jeans. They fit nicely, they’re durable and I like the cut.

• Dancing On Ice tours from April 8. For tickets call 08444 99 99 55 or visit dancingonicetour.co.uk