FUNNY you should ask because that’s exactly how most of my more interesting friends tend to dress. They infinitely prefer an air of “I’m just back from looking at the Caravaggios” to the more gotten-up kind of “ladies who lunch” look. I note that ideally you’d like me to provide you with suggestions for a whole capsule wardrobe. I would need to see you in person to be able to give a detailed blueprint for your wardrobe, but I can point you in the direction of certain useful designers.

First, there is Shirin Guild (241 Fulham Road, London SW3) — her clothes are not for “ladies who lunch”. They are for the rather arty sophisticate, and although they tend to be worn by those who are no longer as slim as they used to be, I think they look even better (doesn’t everything?) on the very slim, which clearly you are.

Shirin is her own best advertisement — she is as skinny as the scarecrows on which she originally modelled her designs and the slightly loose, easy shapes underline her fragility. Her sweaters and shirts are mostly shaped like Ts with armholes set very low down the sleeve, giving the typically Shirin Guild look. She also has some easy trousers and skirts but all have some design sophistication to them. The clothes need quite careful putting together but go along to the shop and try them — I think they will answer your “smart casual” needs. The department stores are also worth a trawl — Harvey Nichols has the wonderful Martin Grant, who is great at interesting but elegant clothes (£590 for a jacket, 020-7255 5000). Liberty has a good stock of Issey Miyake, including the Pleats Please range (a great shirt/jacket is £220, 020-7734 1234).

Aimed at a similar sort of woman is a collection I’ve written about before, which is to be found at Wall (1 Denbigh Road, Notting Hill, W11; 0870 3507373; www.wall-london.com). Wall goes in for clothes that look grown-up, having in mind a woman who has an artistic and intellectual life as well as a social one. There are lots of easy trousers — for summer some good-looking ones in linen, one pair with cropped legs, the other with a cuff, as well as loose, easy yet smart-looking jackets and sweaters. If you want something more formal, see the damask range in black or cream — there are cropped pants, a long skirt and a gorgeous three-buttoned coat.

And finally, there is a Japanese designer called Yacco Maricard who so far has only one shop (at 10 Kensington Church Street, 020-7376 9153) and does a range of relaxed, casual but sophisticated clothing. He is particularly good for summer wear with lots of finely pleated cotton shirts — some that double as jackets (shown here, £149), some designed to be worn on their own. For summer he has some fabulous colours, in particularly a ravishing pale blue and a turquoise, as well as a mustard yellow and masses of white.

• FOR THOSE who were looking for palazzo pants, a reader advises that she has found them in sizes up to 20 at Nitya in New Bond Street, London W1, and at its outlet shop in Bicester Village. You can also try Sahara branches in Oxford, Cambridge, Cirencester, Marlow, Guildford and Stroud). And, in answer to many readers, Annabel Hodin does see personal clients — call 020-7431 8761.

  To ask Lucia van der Post a question, e-mail asklucia@thetimes.co.uk or write to Ask Lucia, T2, The Times, 1 Pennington St, London E98 1TT, with a description of your style dilemma. Please include your age and personal details.

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