Style Notes
In Conversation With Editor Sarah Tomczak
06 March 2025
In our latest series, we’re speaking to inspiring women about living stylishly. Discovering the personal style that goes beyond their wardrobe. And of course, the importance of a great bag.
We travelled to the idyllic coastal town of Ramsgate to meet Sarah Tomczak, Editor in Chief of Red magazine, mum of two, and a multi-tasking pro. Here we delve into her approach to a work-life balance, and find out more about her enviable personal style. Including which celebrity wardrobe she most covets, plus her unexpected tip for making purchases look more expensive.
“On Thursdays and Fridays I work from home – it’s here I can write and edit, and create space for ideas. It also means I can take my kids to school and squeeze in a gym class, or a walk by the sea before I start work.”
It’s easier to describe my typical week, rather than an average day, as I am lucky enough to have a cadence that allows for a good work/life balance. The first three days of the week I commute into London to the Hearst office in Leicester Square. It’s intense and fast-paced and each day is full of meetings. I spend my hour-long train journey working, which helps me get on top of my daily admin.
I absolutely love being in the city and the centre of the action, which I find incredibly inspiring, and I adore being with the Red team, who really are some of the best, wisest and most wonderful in the business.
Then on Thursdays and Fridays I work from home – it’s here I can write and edit, and create space for ideas. It also means I can take my kids to school and squeeze in a gym class, or a walk by the sea before I start work. These days give me a real sense of balance and allow me to bring my best self to my job and my family.
I’m at my happiest when I’m busy. My friends say I’m on Beyonce time because I squeeze more into my day than anyone else they know! But for me this is a creative outlet too. I love to cook, particularly baking as I have a sweet tooth, and food is definitely my love language. But I also like to entertain, set a nice table, throw a party, redecorate a room – anything that requires planning and a Pinterest moodboard.
“I have a little notebook that I always carry with me (I think everyone should have one!), for ideas, inspiration, planning and my never ending to-do lists.”
Currently – and in fact always – bringing me joy is the beach. My life became so much happier when I moved to Ramsgate. I love bringing our daughters up by the sea and the incredible community of friends we’ve made here. But also, I find being close to the sea very spiritually soothing. There’s something about the vastness and the rhythm of the water that brings me back to myself. We spend a lot of time here, walking along the coast and swimming in the sea. It can be bitterly cold but even the quickest dip brings a sense of euphoria.
Although I love being here, I’m still filled with wanderlust and am so lucky that my job allows me to travel to so many different places. Italy is always top of my list, but I’d like to adventure further afield still and would love to take our girls to India one day. I have a little notebook that I always carry with me (I think everyone should have one!), for ideas, inspiration, planning and my never-ending to-do lists. I can be a bit head in the clouds, but this helps me keep my feet on the ground too.
“On my wishlist for spring are some high-waisted pastel trousers and a cream top handle bag like The Romilly.”
My style feels ever evolving. I used to wear lots of dresses and prints, now I feel happier in pared-back, tailored pieces for the office and a bit of a classic ‘Hamptons’ style wardrobe at the weekend – chunky cream knits, denim, Birkenstocks. I really like that understated, preppy aesthetic and often wish I could raid Gwyneth Paltrow’s wardrobe as she does that timeless, all-American thing so well.
I really try to stick to the mantra of ‘buy well, cry once’, which means spending more on something really considered, but then feeling great about the investment. It requires discipline and a lot less shopping, but less regrets too. I’ll also always buy the size bigger than the one below, because a little extra room makes things look more expensive.
On my wishlist for spring are some high-waisted pastel trousers and a neutral top handle bag like The Romilly.
For London Fashion Week, less is more for me. I’ll keep it classic with trousers and a shirt, but I’ll choose something a bit interesting, like gloss trousers and a tuxedo shirt, which I’ll pair with a slouchy clutch bag.
Thanks Sarah, we can’t wait to see the reports from London Fashion Week.
For even more from Sarah, head to Instagram.
