MY WARDROBE: Gill Brocas

Gill Brocas is head of school, design and humanities, at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.
Q: What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe and why?

A: A loose floaty dress by Oyl - it is an amazing construction, like a cross between harem pants and a dress, and it catches the wind and billows out. I feel like a ship in sail wearing it -very cool to wear on hot days.
Q: How many pairs of shoes do you have?

A: Dozens, but I am a very bad shoe buyer. I tend to wear the most comfortable ones regularly, and intersperse them with the shoes that are feet killers. I have a strong attraction to high heels, but have difficulty lasting a day in them at work.
Q: What are your wardrobe basics?

A: Dresses. In summer light and airy, and in winter with things underneath and on top. Scarves - I started using scarves a few years ago and have grown to love them. They are a great way of adding colour and contrast as well as warmth.
Q: What do you wear to work?

A: Again, often a dress - I leave home early in the morning, and it's easier to grab one thing out of the wardrobe rather than having to find a match for something. I used to be a skirt wearer, but really they are too much trouble.
Q: What's your weekend "uniform"?
A: In winter, boots, jeans and a jersey. In summer, jandals, shorts and a top.
Q: What's your oldest piece of clothing?

A: A 1950s gold suit that I bought from an op shop. It has hand-sewn detail on the buttons, fake pockets and so on. I haven't worn it lately as the length is wrong for my current weight, however in my thinner days I was stopped once in a supermarket by an American woman who wanted to buy it.
Q: What's the latest piece you've bought?

A: I haven't been able to shop lately - I am waiting for the summer sales.
Q: What accessories do you use?

A: Scarves and necklaces mainly. Paua is my precious gem of choice, and is guaranteed not to devalue.
Q: Which piece of clothing could you not do without?

A: My big "cover it all up" Oyl Jacket. Helps between seasons with extra warmth and little bulk.
Q: What's the most you've spent on an item of clothing?

A: Don't know, but spending is driven by a loathing of paying full price. On the other hand I have had many, many fantastic clothing purchases under $10 at second-hand clothes dealers.