Vivaldi brings season's fashions to the fore

And though this week’s weather may suggest otherwise, she is ready to fine-tune our wardrobes for the arrival of spring and summer.

A self-confessed shopaholic, Lesley opened Vivaldi 15 years ago and now sells an extensive range of easy-to-wear clothes, accessories and jewellery.

Second to her passion for clothes is her desire to share that enthusiasm with women of a certain age.

“The thing I am most interested in is dressing women over 30, and especially women over 40. I see a lot of customers who have lost confidence in their sense of style and what they can wear,” says Lesley, 52.

“If you try to dress the way you did when you were 20, it’s not going to work because shapes change. You can wear the same kind of clothes, but you might have to wear them differently.” Lesley advises “get funky not frumpy”.

“If you get too classic as you get older, that’s when you start to look frumpy. It’s a mistake a lot of women make. If you can be a little bit funky it helps,” she adds.

While the emphasis at Vivaldi is on style over high street fashion, the price point is very much M&S or Next, with a few higher-end items more comparable to Hobbs. “I don’t have many things that cost more than £100 and most are under £50. You can choose a lovely top or tunic for between £30 and £50 and know you won’t find everyone else wearing the same thing.”

Lesley’s “guilty pleasure” is dutch brand Sandwich, which is a bit more pricey, but a favourite with customers. Other brands include Smashed Lemon, Skunkfunk and Fiorelli.

Vivaldi, 217 Bruntsfield Place, 0131 447 9229, www.vivaldiaccessories.com. Mon-Sat, 10am-5.30pm.