Q. I’ve just reached my 50th birthday and although I’m always being told that I look young for my age, my neck is the one area of my body that really ages me as it is quite lined. Can you suggest any ways I might be able to dress so that this problem area looks better?
A. Like upper arms, necks are a danger zone that we endlessly worry about. You lose on necks either way when you age. Too thin and your neck looks scrawny, too fat and it settles into unattractive folds. So it's worth investing in some key pieces make you feel better about this delicate part of your body and, no, I’m not going to even going to mention the word ‘Turtleneck’.
Right, so let’s get to it. What you need to do is to reveal just a little neck and avoid covering the whole area up entirely. Try wearing a bold necklace teamed with a dress that has just a slight scoop neck. This will help to take the focus away from your neck and on to your glamorous piece of jewellery. Make sure that the necklace in question is not too gaudy or brash - as we get older we need to choose accessories that are soft and subtle in colour and execution.
For a smart daytime look that’s favoured by the likes of Jane Fonda, why not try wearing a simple soft pink or cornflower blue shirt with a neat collar. The pastel shade is incredibly flattering on older skins and the crisp neckline will look smart and will draw the eye upwards towards the face instead of focusing on the neck area.
A pretty pussy bow blouse, in a contemporary style, (Not the Margaret Thatcher look please) can also look incredibly stylish, and these work particularly well if you choose a top in a luxurious looking fabric such as silk. Remember, again, to look for delicate shades such as pale gold, soft grey or oyster as these will be the most flattering next to your skin. Your other option you can choose is a scarf. They cost a lot, but a very fine silk and cashmere scarf is incredibly useful on the neck front. In a soft colour such as peach, crème or sand, a luxurious cashmere scarf can certainly add an elegant touch to any ensemble. Problem solved.
