STYLE FILE: MINI ADVENTURE

When Kelly Wenham, the 21-year-old actress who plays Jess Buckley in Where The Heart Is, declares she doesn't normally wear short skirts, it's fair to say there are a few raised eyebrows in the house. This is the girl who dated Footballers' Wives actor Gary Lucy (known for his liking of ladies in skimpy attire), who's been snapped out on the town falling out of sheer dresses and bustier tops, and who's done the obligatory shoot in her scanties for lads' mags.

Still, the ex-Corrie star insists, 'I'm not keen on tight, tiny skirts, I like loose-fitting clothes now. I've learnt from clothes disasters in the past.'

Is the 'no tight' rule a concerted effort to move away from that image? 'No. I just think I've grown up, I've matured, and what I wear is part of that.'

Fortunately, Kelly's happy to model this season's not-too-tight wintry minis for us, declaring, 'I loved the purple skirt, and the tartan skirt with the blazer.'

So what does Kelly like to wear these days then? 'My style is a mixture, I can't pigeon-hole myself. Sometimes I'll wear baggy jeans and trainers, the next day heels and a fitted jacket. I go from one extreme to the other - friends never know what I'm going to turn up in.'

Quite the eclectic then? 'Erm, someone once said I looked like Helena Bonham Carter - you know, when she can't be bothered and wears tracksuit bottoms, old coats and stripy jumpers. It was a boyfriend - we're not together now. I do admire actress Chloe Sevigny's style - she's a vintage queen and comes up with the most bizarre outfits, but she always looks great. And I love Carrie's style in Sex And The City, especially when she dresses down but still looks glamorous, such as wearing cut-off trousers and a baseball cap with heels.'

Unfortunately for Kelly, she doesn't quite have their clothing budget. 'I'm not really a designer girl, I just go out and buy whatever takes my fancy. I mainly shop at H&M and Mango. The most I've spent on a single item was probably a dress for my 18th birthday party for pounds 110. I can't spend more than that, I feel too guilty.'

Beyond a Christmas special of Where The Heart Is, Kelly's also been filming an episode of 60s hospital drama The Royal, which gave her the opportunity to dress up in funky retro style. 'I played the sister of a patient and they put me in typical 60s stuff - a pinafore dress, big mac, plastic earrings, bouffant hair - it was cool.'

In fact, she loved it so much she's decided to make it a staple of her winter wardrobe. 'I've got a 60s coat that belonged to my mum. It's really thick, tied at the waist. I can wear it with jeans, little flat biker boots or simple stilettos.' Sounds swinging to us.

Words: Lianne Fisher. Fashion: Charlotte Adsett, assisted by Wina Surmardjo.

Photography: Jamie Baker.

Make-up: Lisa Stokes using Elizabeth Arden.

Hair: Cinta Crociani at Macmillan using Wella SP.

For stockists, see p62.

CAPTIONS: pounds 35, WAREHOUSE

Cashmere sweater, pounds 70, Warehouse; shoes, pounds 40, Miss Selfridge 'Isn't this skirt just gorgeous? I feel like Charlotte from Sex And The City'

pounds 35, WAREHOUSE Jacket, pounds 24.99, H&M 'Oh, I love a bit of tartan! This is my favourite outfit'

pounds 45, MORGAN Vest, pounds 19.99, River Island; boots, pounds 60, Office 'This is a bit too short - I'm scared to bend over'

pounds 50, DOROTHY PERKINS T-shirt, pounds 8, Topshop 'Perfect for Christmas parties, dressed down with a tee'

pounds 30, WAREHOUSE Jacket, pounds 90, Child; shoes, pounds 65, Topshop 'Looked old ladyish on the hanger but funky on'

pounds 100, GAS Vest, pounds 6.99, New Look 'This leather skirt is a real investment - you could wear it for years'

pounds 9.99, H&M Top, pounds 25, Dorothy Perkins 'I'm loving this 80s-style ra-ra skirt - I feel really trendy in it'

pounds 29.99, H&M Top, pounds 28, Topshop 'This looks and feels so expensive, I can't believe it's from the high street'

pounds 22, MISS SELFRIDGE Vest, pounds 5.99, H&M 'I can imagine lounging around at home in this comfy skirt'

pounds 52, MORGAN Vest, pounds 29.99, Morgan; boots, pounds 85, Topshop 'Sexy but not tarty, great for going out dancing'

Copyright 2003 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.