I just turned 50 and I’m not quite sure how to dress for my new age. Thankfully I’m still a size ten and I’m in pretty good nick. Are mini-skirts and skinny jeans madness when you're middle-aged? Or should you defy the years and wear the latest trends?
As far as I'm concerned, being 50, or in fact any age, should never inhibit a woman's personal style. I'm a huge supporter of women wearing what makes them feel beautiful whatever age they are. Indeed, turning 50 should be seen as something positive — a chance to embrace a new glamorous look— instead of an excuse to sink into middle age.
Women of 50 are now richer and living longer than ever before, so looking after their appearance should be as important — if not more so — than it was in their youth.
In my mothers day, turning 50 meant that you were immediately expected to wear a wardrobe of boring, 'sensible', 'grown-up' clothes in dark colours, black or navy blue. Thankfully times have changed and women can, pretty much, wear whatever they like.
It’s perfectly all right to remain up to date and fashionable – just as long as you remember to emphasise your good points and hide your flaws. Have fun with your outfits! Reach for those bright colours. Buy that sexy scoop neck top. Try a pair of fitted dark denim jeans with high heels and opt for a bootleg cut as they’re a lot more flattering than the skinny styles.
Dressing older women requires more thought, more design, better cut and probably more investment than the easy throwaway looks that turn a quick buck. Despite the fact that no one wants to dress from a rack labelled 'old', retailers should realise that there are other generations to cater for rather than teenagers.
I believe that, as you age, it's wise to follow a few rules when shopping. My first rule is to dress suitably: a fifty-something woman dressing as a 23-year-old ends up looking like someone trying to look younger, which is not what you had in mind.
Yes, mini skirts, vest tops, neon colours and stonewashed denim may be all over the shops but they should not be in your wardrobe. Like it or not, you're a sophisticated woman now. Dress like one.
Keep an open mind and be prepared to experiment. Stores such as Debenhams and House of Frazer offer a fantastic personal shopping service free of charge, so if you are in doubt don’t be afraid to call in the experts.
Frilly clothes are to be avoided. Somehow — and I don't know why — less is always more in middle age. Staying along the crisp lines, great tailoring route certainly pays off. Opt for a definite silhouette and think about investing in some classic tailored pieces. Play with accessories: a big chunky necklace looks fabulous and there is no age limit on what handbag you carry.
Cover up the bits of your body that don't look so good. Crepey skin is not really very seductive and the dreaded low-cut V-neck where crepe meets old', retailers should realise that there less than youthful décolletage is sadly not a good look. Thighs do not improve with age, but I believe you can still do sleeveless if you really look after your arms and exercise.
And what shops to head for to practise these rules? The stores that have been good hunting grounds for me this season include Massimo Dutti, Wallis and Pamela Scott.
Good brands include Betty Jackson at Debenhams and Theory, which you'll find in Harvey Nichols. Invest in a few key pieces — a well cut suit, a lovely summer coat, a simple, well cut dress. House of Fraser, too, is suddenly looking very good, stocking ranges that give real imaginative choice.
The good news is that, with a few simple rules and a little imagination it’s easy to look fabulous at fifty...and beyond.
