What is your favourite fashion item, and why?
A necklace my sister gave me. It has golf ball-sized beads on a metal chain. I think it is statement jewellery; I'm just not sure what the statement is.

What is your fallback outfit?
A black M&S wrap dress. It is brilliant. I wear it with a coloured vest underneath and big jewellery. It was cheap as chips but looks expensive. I wear it at least once a week.

What is your one piece of fashion/beauty advice?
I suppose a good night's sleep will do more for you than spending a four-figure amount on a handbag.

Biggest fashion faux pas?
There are too many to list. My worst was when I was elected Miss Personality 1976 of the Oakham Girl Guides. I had nothing to wear on the parade float, so I borrowed a dress from Brown Owl. It was brown and orange, with cloth daisies at the waist. I hope I've never looked that bad since.

What aspect of fashion do you dislike the most?
Overinflated prices. The British high street is fantastic, there is just no excuse to pay more.

How do you think that people perceive you from the way you dress?
They probably think I'm smarter than I actually am. I spend most of my time as a badly dressed badger who stays underground. I'm most often found in tracksuit bottoms and several cardigans. When people actually see me I've transformed myself into a stylish part of the British literary glitterati.

If you could steal the wardrobe of anyone - past or present, fictional or real - whose would it be?
Would it be boring to say Audrey Hepburn? But I would also have to steal her cheekbones.

If you could change one part of your body, which would it be?
My legs. I can't wear knee-length skirts unless I'm wearing knee-high boots.

What are your five desert island staples?
Apart from wrap dresses; knee-high boots, lipsticks, body scrub, a sense of humour and my hairdresser.

What is a fashion Day in the Life of Louise Doughty?
I get up and put on whatever item of clothing is lying by my bed like a cowpat. Then, if I need to, I transform myself for the evening.

Louise Doughty, the novelist and playwright, is a judge for this year's Man Booker Prize. The winner will be announced on October 14.

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