[Gayle]

I remember going to one of the first sports centre discos with chains of safety pins around me, all dressed in black and standing out a mile from all the other girls - I was the only one dressed like that as you can imagine. I was 13 when punk came out in 1977 and I was gutted that I was too young.

My best friend had Elton John and Barry Manilow records in her collection and I had the finest selection of punk! Oh, well we were still best friends despite of huge differences in music taste and clothes taste.

When I went to college punk was more or less replaced by goth look and it was a great time to be going out in Manchester. I did ok at college but perhaps not as well as I could have because I spent a lot of time going out and even longer getting ready to go out - my eye make up was a work of art.

Then 80s started to settle down and get 'proper' jobs so had to look smarter. Having said that I had ra-ra skirts and fishnets - thought I was boy george. haha!

Now I'm fortunate in that I work in the arts so don't have to look smart unless I have an important meeting, otherwise it's quite casual with jeans and sweater most days - still love black clothes! Chris says I'm a bit grungy sometimes but I guess that at my age I should be a bit tidier sometimes. I always make an effort when I have to!