Sarah Parish: five things I know about style

1 My best friend and I used to make all our own clothes when we were teens – we'd make identical costumes to go out in on a Saturday night. We'd go to Yeovil town in the morning to pick up fabric, run up a dress or a ra-ra skirt, and head off to a terrible disco called Blades in the evening. 2 Since I moved to the country and had a child, comfort comes before style. Things that look like they'll last appeal to me. But I do love dressing up – I will often buy something outrageous that I then won't wear. 3 High-waisted jeans are a no-no for me. After you've had a baby, they're not a flattering look – we called them "mum jeans" when we were younger! 4 Make-up needs to either be very subtle or dramatic. Concentrate on one very bright colour and make a statement. But on a day-to-day basis, heavy make-up is not for me. 5 Alexander McQueen was a genius. I recently did a fashion shoot and wore one of his dresses for it: a tiny black frock which I felt amazing in. It was so beautifully cut. I flippantly said that I'd buy it, but it was on the expensive side so I left it behind. Sarah Parish is starring in Pillars of the Earth at 9pm on Saturdays on Channel 4 Visit theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/fashion for more style advice