How To Look Fashionable and Fabulous at 50

My abject apologies for not updating my blog over the last few weeks. My fiancee has returned from sea and I have been up to my neck in wedding plans (only two and a half weeks to go!)

Last week I went for the first fitting of my wedding gown (after ordering it 5 months ago) and I was profoundly grateful that I could actually get into it (ok so I could probably lose a couple of pounds for comfort - but what's comfort got to do with anything!!)

As I was trying it on, I remembered my daughter's comments when I was trying to decide which dress to go for back in April. The one thing she kept repeating as I tried on gown after gown, was "Don't forget mum, it needs to be age appropriate"!

Looking good at 50 is very much about understanding that your limitations. Being fashionable at 50 is great but looking like 'mutton dressed as lamb' isn't! Having said that, neither do you want to be mistaken for your grandmother!

The following simple rules can help to make sure you look like Helen Mirren rather than Dame Edna Everage!

• Wear high heels. I know most of you will groan and say that you can’t possibly walk in 4 inch heels but get used to it. High heels will make your legs look longer and more shapely.
• Wear dresses and skirts no shorter than your knee and, unless you're attending a red carpet event (you never know!), they should be no longer than the bottom of your calf. Think sexy but elegant..!
  
• Cover the tops of your arms. This doesn’t necessarily mean long sleeves. Tops that support your bust but reveal your shoulders can look incredibly sexy while still hiding the bingo wings!
• Always suck in your stomach. This becomes natural after a while and helps to give you height, pushes out your boobs and streamlines your torso.
• Always wear a good bra. Nothing is guaranteed to make you look more frumpy than a sagging, ill fitting bra. You should choose a bra that lifts your boobs while making sure that it fits correctly. It is always a good idea to get professional help if you’re unsure of your cup size – most good department stores provide a free bra fitting service.
• Choose a good foundation. It is not necessary to put your foundation on with a trowel just because your face is not as young as it was. The key is to make sure that you choose the right color for your skin tone. An orange line around your chin is not a good look. Ask for professional help at a make up counter in a department store if you are unsure what color/coverage works best for you.

So, if you keep the phrase 'age appropriate' in your head when you're trying on clothes, then add 'sexy but elegant' to the mix, it really is actually quite easy to look fashionable and fabulous at 50!

I hope my partner agrees on the 16 October!