09-08-2025
Anna Friel: I left my wardrobe behind when I split with my first boyfriend
A leather bomber jacket with a sheepskin collar from River Island when I was doing Brookside. It was £60 and I was so proud that I was earning money as a 16-year-old and could walk into a shop and say, 'I'll have that.'
It was the time of the waif — which, 30 years later, seems to have come back — very CK One minimalist, spaghetti straps, Diesel boyfriend jeans and a white vest.
Only about the things I lost. I had the best 1990s capsule wardrobe and when I split up with my first boyfriend, Darren Day, I was so distraught, I grabbed the essentials and left my whole wardrobe there, including an incredible Afghan coat from the Kings Road. I remember years later calling to ask for my clothes back and he'd ditched them all.
One billion per cent trainers. My favourites are a chunky pair of red Adidas Campus 00s that I have in navy too. I love shoes and I'm a huge Terry de Havilland fan because they were the only heels I could walk in, but I prefer looking at them rather than wearing them now.
• The new all-day heel (as comfy as trainers, trust me)
I was presenting at the 2002 Baftas and I wore a dress from the 1950s that I'd found in a vintage store in Canada. It was the most incredible red lace with a boat neck. It was a size 12 and I was an 8 at the time, so I had it tailored. Whenever you're asked which designer you're wearing, I love saying it's vintage.
My daughter, Gracie, was in my tummy and I was about to drop. David [Thewlis, the actor, and Gracie's father] and I went to a film premiere and I wore a custom emerald Moschino top, designed for my bump, with a gypsy skirt. It was a special moment and whenever Gracie looks at pictures, she's like, 'I was in your tummy.'
• Read fashion advice and style inspiration from our experts
My great passion is vintage — the materials are superior and I love pieces with a story — so I hunt down vintage shops whenever I travel. I've been shooting in Bristol recently and found a red 1980s jumpsuit. Palma, Mallorca, is a great place to shop for unique embroidery and leather shoes and bags.
I carry pots of RMS concealer and highlighter — it's the finest and dewiest. Less is more as you get older because powder shows up lines. I use Chanel's blush pot in No 1 for rosy lips and cheeks. Gracie also introduced me to a brand called Moods that has fragrances called things like Frisky and Euphoric. It's a roll-on in incredible packaging. My favourite is Frisky, it's meant to attract the opposite sex!
• Read more beauty product reviews and advice from our experts
I have about 40 pairs of jeans. Citizens of Humanity and Acne Studios work best for me and they keep their shape. Rag & Bone is my favourite for low-slung jeans.
If you want something unique, find a great tailor. Vintage pieces come up small. I look at my collection and think, how did I fit into that? I saved loads for Gracie but she's 5ft 9in and grew out of them at 13. She's taken all my belts instead. My favourite is an extra-wide, large-buckle Ralph Lauren belt from the 1990s in pale brown suede and it goes with everything.
I was in Sardinia for a week and the airline lost my luggage, so I googled 'bohemian cotton dresses' and went straight from the airport to a boutique in the mountains. I got a beautiful, embroidered blouse and skirt by Sea, New York and a man's shirt and shorts in pyjama-like green and white stripes. I like boutiques where you know whoever sourced the brands has great taste. I also fell for an Instagram post by Rixo and bought a pink dress with white flowers on and puff sleeves, which I love.
Unforgivable is on BBC iPlayerAs told to: Tracy Ramsden
