Dos

• Wear a size that fits - not the size you think you should be. Squeezing into a size 12 when you’re actually a 14 makes you look bigger than if you wore the appropriate size.
  
• Invest - now is the time to get rid of the tat and make way for investment buys. If you find designer shops intimidating then try the designer floors in big stores where the staff are more approachable. We can't all afford top to toe designer but you could start with a designer handbag.  You and it will still look good long after all your cheaper versions have hit the bin.  A good trench coat is also a must. Coco Chanel once said “Youth must be replaced with mystery. And when that time comes, get a trench coat.”
• Work out what colours suit you now - bolder and more sophisticated shades are usually the way forward.  And you don't have to spend money on expensive 'colour consultancy' services. You can see the colours that lift by simply holding clothes up to your face in shop mirrors, this gives an instant indication. For extra guidance on combining adventurous colour, look to the Italian designers who know how to mix a palette with confidence and style. Notice how they mix camel with purple and turquoise instead of with black or white. Raspberry with brown is much more grown up than pastel pink.
• Get good underwear – a well fitting bra pushes your boobs up and in, giving you a much slimmer outline. If you need to you can insert gel or silicone bits for extra cleavage. Control underwear isn’t just for larger sizes – it lifts and sculpts, giving you a more youthful shape. Higher Power Panties that stop just below the bra are amazing, especially for a regained figure after pregnancy.
• Have confidence - looking good for your age is not just about buying the right handbag, it's also about confidence and showing that you have no desire to turn back the clock by respecting and enjoying the person that you are now.
  

Don’ts

• Wear baggy – some women hide under baggy jackets and tops to disguise lumps and bumps but they just end up making you look fat. Fitted shapes, in the right size, are far more flattering.
• Show too much flesh - if you've still got great thighs or a washboard stomach, don't be tempted to show them. Covering up does not have to be conservative and frumpy. It does not mean you relinquish your sex appeal, it's just about expressing it in a different way. Teenage clothes don't make you look sexy - they just make you look old. If you still want to show off your legs wear skirts just above the knee.
• Avoid buttoning up – as our boobs head south, many of us opt for a frumpy buttoned-up look. Go for V necks instead. They’re flattering for all shapes, but avoid clingy fabrics as you could look older than you really are. Get a good, well-fitting bra.
• Dress too frumpy – twin sets are guaranteed to make you look grannyish. Swap for separates and don’t be afraid of bold colours.
• Forget your handbag – it is usually a dead giveaway to your age. Have some fun with your handbag choice by trying lively colours (red, white, yellow) and different shapes. The key is to find a bag in good proportion to your size. Shoulder bags that fit under the armpit (not too tiny or huge) are generally the most flattering.

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