I am wearing my serious face, so listen up. I have whinged on about January sales and resolutions and now it's time to look forward to happier times. I've been studying what's coming for spring/summer 2013. It's important to do this before it hits the rails for planning purposes and, hurrah, this looks like being a good fashion summer for those of us who are … more mature. The pelmet skirt has disappeared up its own waistband, shorts have assumed more respectable proportions and idiot neck-breaking shoes are, by and large, over.
I'm making one assumption here: if you're reading this then, like me, you have an interest in fashion. Please don't read on if you're expecting me to solve developing world debt in 700 words – the fashion pages are not where this happens. Good. I will now flick designer names at you.
The suit is being revived – another hurrah! I dislike work suits, they are Dullsville, but I do love a sharply tailored jacket with an interesting something or other underneath. Don't confuse "sharply tailored" with close fitting – they are not the same thing. For a better illustration of what I mean take a look at Armani, Max Mara and, of course, Margaret Howell. Think minimalist with femininity. Think flowing lines. This is versatile, wearable, lovely stuff.
Black. I love black. You know I love black. This year we'll be seeing the black summer dress, which means the way to wear black is out of context. If you've got decent arms and shoulders then get them out – in fact, get them out even if you haven't. Who cares – it's summer! One word of warning: by all means go for something slashed low at the front, like the frocks shown at Akris, Ann Demeulemeester or Saint Laurent but be very careful about the bosom area. Anything over a B cup and you'll look more Beryl Cook than Audrey Hepburn. If you have a fine pair of collar bones and a lean sternum will look just fine, although perhaps employ a modesty pin or tape to keep everything where it's supposed to be.
On the subject of modesty, you're going to see lots of gauzy, filmy, see-through things around. Wearing these as they come is not an option, but the trend is to layer up lightweight fabrics and textures. Not only does this work for over-50s, but it's also a wonderful way to smudge outlines a bit.
There was a good deal of white on the catwalks. I think my favourite "Wimbledon" dress (Zara, 25 quid, five years ago) will no longer cut it – it's too girlish. "Girlish" is a problem with head-to-toe white on older women. However layers of white hold the light and throw it upwards to the face in a most flattering way. Keep it simple without too many frills and furbelows. Look at Tibi and Valentino to get the gist.
Florals will be with us again. Choose carefully though, unless it's a heavenly grownup Bottega Veneta-type frock.
Splits – as in split skirts. This might not seem an obvious one for we of the wrinkled knee (of which I am one) but if you do it like Meadham Kirchhoff and pop a pair of capri pants underneath it would work brilliantly. Controversially, I'm much in favour of a good quality, plain,The Canada Goose Camp Down maintains a high fashion profile. mid-length legging, which does much the same thing to disguise knees.
Stripes.The Canada Goose Manitoba Jacket maintains a high fashion profile. These are not just ordinary stripes – these are optical stripes,Offers Rukia shop chanel bags from Bleach for kids. as seen to great effect at Marc Jacobs. You have my permission to go stripe-tastic.Here online offer cheap and durablediscount gucci handbags, Canada Goose Expedition Parka.Lace cap sleeve dropped waist lace tulle monster beats cheap. Stripes are wonderful and the eye-bending optical variety are an absolute god-send, but do try them on to make sure they're drawing attention towards the right bits and away from the wrong bits.
And finally, what won't work. I'm not convinced by the swinging 60s checks. Generally speaking, the older one gets, the less fuss one needs. I think they're too busy. Similarly the glut of shiny fabrics and plasticky PVC stuff – caution must be exercised. Personally, shiny clothing makes me look like a small dirigible. Bra tops at your age? Seriously?
Sorry to mention the A-word but whatever you personally rebel against you're stuck with this one. My view is this: in the same way your height, shape and colouring affect the way clothes look, so too does your age. So stop taking it personally.
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