Hitting the big 4-0 no longer means neglecting your wardrobe, you can still look stylish and fabulous no matter what your age. Look at celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and the Sex and the City girls, all over forty and all still look stunning. These ladies may have the luxury of a disposable income to help them along the way, but there is still no doubt that they all know how to dress and make the most of their looks.

During our 20′s and 30′s most of us are still struggling to get to know our bodies, and figure out which styles suit us, but at forty we tend to have a much better idea of what we can and cannot wear. Not only this, but age also brings experience and confidence, which helps carry off a great look. You can still wear gorgeous, stylish dresses, but just make sure they are not too short or skimpy. Mini skirts are a no-no, but floaty dresses just above the knee will still look sexy without looking too overdone. Kylie Minogue may still be able to pull of the tight shorts at over forty, but it is not a look that most of us could get away with. Clothes which are too baggy are not a good look either, so try and keep it somewhere in the middle. Dress to suit your body shape. If there are areas which you feel are not quite as toned as they used to be, and which make you feel uncomfortable, then cover these up. Concentrate on the parts of your body you love, and show these off. A well fitted bra is essential at over forty, as this is the area which starts to droop at this age. Give yourself a lift and some cleavage with a good quality bra.

When it comes to shoes, do not be convinced that you suddenly have to start wearing flat and unattractive shoes as you reach your forties. There are plenty of stylish heels to choose from, which are fashionable and trendy at any age. It is advisable to start to move away from the 10 inch stilettos, but then this should be advised at any age!

Always keep up to date with the latest ladies fashion trends and styles. Magazines, the internet and other people, are all great sources of information to help keep your style current and up to date. Look at photos of celebrities of a similar age range and copy some of their ideas and styles, but do not be afraid to try out your own ideas either. Learn to embrace your age and looks, and you can look better than you ever have before.

Image – Ditsy Floral Print Blouse

Whilst many of us claim not to care about fashion, most of us will concede that we don’t want to look completely dowdy and want our clothes to look fairly up to date. Others are dedicated followers of fashion who want to keep up with trends in ladies clothes and wouldn’t dream of wearing last years style. On balance though, most ladies tend to pick out certain styles of clothes that don’t go out of fashion and will last for many seasons and update with a few really on trend pieces each season.

Here is how you can keep up with the latest ladies fashions and decide which will work best for you and your budget.

There are plenty of places to find inspiration and ideas for the latest ladies fashions. You can start by looking at the designer collections for the season. Whilst you may not be able to afford these clothes, many of the trends from the catwalk will trickle down into high street fashion.

There are all sorts of different ladies fashion magazines that cater for different prices ranges and target audiences. Most magazines will publish regular trend reports which will give you a great summary of the latest looks for the season and how you can achieve them. Whilst some of the looks may look a little over the top, or unwearable, you can always adapt the latest trends to suit you. For example, instead of wearing all over animal print, an animal print scarf is a great way to look fresh and up to date but in a very stylish way that suits almost anyone.

You can also find an expensive designer look in a magazine and find more cost effective alternatives with a high street or online ladies fashion retailer. If a particular style of clothing doesn’t suit your body shape, then replace it with something that does. For example if skinny trousers don’t suit you, then get some straight cut trousers instead like the classic black wide waistband straight leg trousers pictured above.  . It is great to keep up with the latest ladies fashions, but it should never be at the expense of looking stylish.

Fashion blogs are also a great way to find out about the latest trends and how real people wear them. There are so many different fashion blogs around ranging from street style blogs which feature some very stylish people of all different ages, shapes and sizes to personal style blogs where writers showcase their own personal take on style.

All of these places are great for getting information, ideas and inspiration on the latest ladies fashions and trends. But it is much more important how you interpret and adapt these fashions and trends to suit you. Keeping up with the latest ladies fashions does not mean that you have to buy into every single fashion and trend each season. You should just pick and choose from the pieces that you like and the pieces that suit you. When deciding what will look best, you should carefully consider your shape, age, colouring, personality, budget and lifestyle.

During your fifties you may feel under pressure not to follow fashion and trends instead wearing clothes that feel frumpy or dated. There really is no reason to avoid fashion over fifty. Looking stylish at any age is about finding clothes that suit you. As you get older you will change and the sorts of clothes that suit you will probably change. We should all reassess our wardrobes regularly and their suitability in terms of our shape, size, colouring and lifestyle. For someone that has retired or given up work, they may well want to change their style of clothes to be much more casual.

Anyone can be fashionable whatever their age but style should always be the top priority. Look for clothes that look and feel good. Pick and choose the items for each season that work for you. You should also look for clothes that compliment your natural beauty. As you get older this may mean avoiding certain styles of clothing that are in fashion, particularly low cut tops and very short skirts. Here are some ways that you can be fashionable and stylish over fifty.

It is all about the cut and fit

Find a retailer that sells fashionable and on trend clothes with a cut and fit that suits you. Generally speaking as you get older your clothes will look better if they are slightly better cut. Skirts that are knee length or below tend to look best and tops that are not too low cut. Dresses and tops with short sleeves also usually look better than sleeveless ones. You should always aim to wear perfectly fitting clothes.

Consider Colours Carefully

When you are over fifty, you hair colour and skin tone may change. This will mean that the colours that look good on you will change. Generally speaking black can look quite harsh, try more muted colours or alternatives like navy, grey and brown instead. Colour can be your best friend or your worst enemy. By holding a piece of fabric by your face you can see whether it makes your complexion glow or look drained. When you find  a colour that makes your complexion glow, wear it near your face for maximum impact.

Find the styles that work for you

What ever your age, you should consider your body shape when choosing which fashions will look best. Some times it may be better to stick to classic styles of trousers, skirts, dresses and jackets and add the latest ladies fashion using a printed top or blouse.

Choose fun and fashionable accessories

Accessories are a great way to add fun and fashion to any outfit. Add a pop of bright colours or some eye catching patterns by accessorising your outfits. Use different accessories each day to create lots of different outfits from the same basic clothes.

Following fashion and looking stylish at any age is all about skillfully picking out the pieces which suit you and make you look and feel great. You can look fashionable in your fifties and beyond, just think carefully about style first.

The problem in the UK is that the weather can be quite changeable and to enjoy your outdoor activities, you need to wear or be ready with the right clothing to keep you warm and dry. Without the right clothing, you could well find yourself packing up to go home. But whilst warmth and comfort are really important, for some style and looking good is just as important. You you will probably want your outdoor activity clothing to look just as good as your usual daytime wear but in a different way.

Fleeces

Fleece are just about the best way to keep warm when the weather turns cold. They are light weight so easy to carry or pack in a bag and can be layered under a waterproof layer if the weather turns really nasty. You also don’t need to worry about getting them dirty as they can easily be popped in the washing machine once you get home. In order to choose a fleece that looks casual but stylish look for one with just the right fit. Too big and a fleece will make you look completely shapeless and too small will also look unsightly. A fitted or semi fitted style is by far the most flattering for most people. This black shaggy fleece with high collars and pockets strikes the perfect balance between practical and stylish.

Padded Coat

A padded coat is the ideal piece of clothing for wearing on  walks in the countryside, especially for the autumn and winter when the weather can get really cold. The pockets of padding give this style of coat plenty of insulation making it really warm and the outer layer also makes it waterproof which is really handy in the UK. This silver quilt coat has a really stylish design and also a detachable hood.

Gillet

A brightly coloured Gillet is a great way to add a little extra warmth but still keep your arms free to move around. It is perfect for the late summer or early autumn when it is not quite warm enough to wear a winter coat but too cool for just a top on its own. A gillet also acts as another layer to add a bit of extra warmth when wearing a waterproof jacket. A brightly coloured gillet worn over a patterned top is a great way to create an eye catching outfit for wearing outdoors. This green and ivory gillet is reversible so can be either green or beige depending on which you would like to wear that day. It also has pockets.

What every you choose to wear in the great outdoors, you can also look smart and stylish by choosing clothes in great colours with a great fit.

For many ladies summer is a great time for trying out new trends and going a little overboard with bright colours and prints. The hot weather seems to make just about any outfit work. But the autumn and winter is more a time for solid, stable and dependable clothes. Clothes that are suitable for the colder, wetter and windier weather that we are sure to experience in this country. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have a little fun with your clothes in the autumn and winter, why not try adding fun and quirky accessories to your outfit.

The Trench Coat

The trench coat is about as classic and British as you can get. Obviously it is perfect for wet and windy autumn weather and versatile so that it will go with just about anything from jeans to work wear. The trench was originally created by Thomas Burberry  during World War I for  officers in the British army to wear, the name trench coat coming from the fact that it was supposed to keep them warm and dry in the trenches. The trench coat design has been reinvented many times over the years but still retains many of the original features. We love this white and black contrast detail belt trench coat.

The Black Cocktail Dress

Every lady needs a black cocktail dress. This is the ideal solution for all of those ‘can’t decide what to wear’ dilemmas for an evening out. It can work for all sorts of semi formal occasions from parties to dinners and can be accessorised in a number of different ways depending on the look that you want to achieve. For a really classic look, all this dress needs is a pair of black heels and a diamond necklace. We love this classic style velvet evening/ cocktail dress in black.

Polo Neck Jumper

Sometimes when the weather is really cold, there is nothing else for it than a polo or roll neck jumper. A classic black polo neck jumper is ideal for layering with other pieces of clothing to create a really warm and very stylish outfit. Wear your polo neck under shift dresses, with trousers and carigans or even underneath short sleeved tops for a great layered effect.

Choosing the right colours

Using colour to create outfts that look great is all about finding just the right colours for you. There will be a whole range of colours that will look great on you but there will also be some colours that do not suit you as well. You can recognise which colours look great by holding them against your face. The right colours for you will make your complexion glow whilst colours that do not suit you as well will make your complexion look drained. If you are not sure on which colours to wear try looking around you at people with a similar colouring and see what colours they look good in. You could also try looking at old photographs of yourself and work out which outfits look amazing on you.

How to combine colours

How you combine different colours will completely change their look. Mixing any bright colour with black or contrasting colours will increase its intensity. Mixing a bright colour with white will obviously lighten up the look but have you also considered mixing colours that are quite close. Mixing complementary colours will give you a subtle but very stylish look and is also a great way to start introducing colour to your wardrobe.

Experiment to see what looks best

There are all sorts of rules that you can follow with regards to wearing and combining colours. You can never really know how an outfit will look until you try it on though. Experiment with different looks using colour. If you are a little nervous of wearing too much colour then try a print with a little subtle colour or try adding one or two coloured accessories. If you have great legs, coloured tights are also a great way to add colour to an outfit.

This Long Sleeved Twist Front Black And Magenta Dress is a great winter staple. It would work equally well for work, casual or lunch with friends. The print is a fairly subtle way to wear colour but if you want to make it more eye catching, you could always add some bright pink or blue accessories.

This Navy Rose Print Shift Dress with Shoulder Detail makes the most navy and blue. By combining them with white, they really stand out for a stylish look.

This purple checled coat is a great way to add colour to your winter wardrobe.

The trick to picking out great florals that will work for the colder weather is choosing darker colours or colours that can easily be worn with black or coloured tights. Very light or pale coloured florals may not work so well because it will be difficult to find something suitable to wear on your legs and they will also probably look out of place on a cold and windy day.

Floral dresses in slightly heavier fabrics will work well for the autumn and winter as will floral blouse which can be combined with a winter skirt or trousers. A brightly coloured cardigan is also a great way to add a bit of warmth to a floral summer dress and make a stylish and cosy outfit for the autumn and winter.

Floral dresses that are suitable for occasions are particularly versatile for different seasons. You can often wear a great floral occasion dress in the winter even if it is a little lighter than you would usually wear for a winter day dress. Try adding a  pair of coloured tights for a really eye catching outfit.

Floral shift dresses work really well for a vareity of seasons. Wear with bare legs in the summer. For the autumn and winter, you can wear a long sleeved top underneath or a cardigan or jackey over it to keep warm and thicker opaque tights and boots.

This ladies sleeveless floral evening dress in black is a great option for any season and works well as both evening wear and occasion wear. Add a cropped cardigan, bolero or jacket for a bit of extra warmth.

The autumnal colours of this brown sleeveless sunflower print dress looks great for any season. This dress would look amazing with mustard yellow tights or cardigan.

Bright floral prints on a dark or black background work particularly well for the autumn and winter. Team with black tights, shoes and cardigan for a sophisticated daytime outfit or a great party outfit.

By carefully choosing your clothes, it is possible to build a great versatile wardrobe to work for all of the different seasons. This is a great way to invest your money wisely and get maximum wear out of all of your clothes. It also cuts down on storage. Florals are a great option for spring, summer, autumn and winter. Look for deep and rich colours to ensure maximum versatility.

On the catwalk at Michael Kors, there were lots of lovely knits to get inspiration from. Long V necked jumpers worn with floor length maxi skirts and cowl necked jumper dresses worn with furry boots and knitted knee high socks. At Isabel Marant chunky grey knits were worn with casual trousers and a grey coat for her trademark laid back style that has gained her such a following.  Peter Pilotto featured patterned knits in interesting draped designs.

The best thing about chunky knitwear is that it can be used to add both texture and volume to an outfit. For a subtle but interesting outfit try finding a knit with a great texture and layering it with pieces in the same colour. For the autumn and winter bright coloured knits will also look great when worn with the seasons casuals. Another key component of the seasons trend for chunky knitwear is wearing it with a skirt. Choose either  along maxi skirt or mid calf length skirt for the most on trend look. For a really chunky or voluminous cardigan or jumper, it will usually look best if you try and balance the volume with a slim fitting pair of trousers.

This grey chunky knit cardigan with 3/4 length sleeves looks great with almost any colour of trousers. Its wide sleeves and flared hem make it look a little like the capes that are going to be so on trend for the autumn and winter. This cardigan already has two great contrasting textures to add another wear with a chunky knit scarf or hat.

This black feathered edge cardigan has a great texture and a touch of luxury with the soft feather edging. The gold and black contrast buttons also make it really stylish. It could work equally well to keep you warm in the day or evening.

This magenta cardigan looks great when worn with a pair of black trousers. The rich colour is perfect for brightening up a dark winter outfit and the soft wool makes it both comfortable and cosy. It can easily be layered over most styles of top for a really versatile piece of winter clothing.

This waterfall cardigan has a really elegant shape and some great double layered crochet along the botton edge. It is an incredibly wearable style. For a really on trend look as seen on the runway try wearing it open over a contrasting coloured top pulled in with a belt.

There are so many different styles of chunky knitwear available for autumn and winter that you should have no problem finding the perfect piece to suit you and your wardrobe and keep you warm all winter.

Good news, there are a whole raft of different shapes of womens trousers that will be on trend for the season ahead. The best thing about this is that there is something for everyone, including short ladies, tall ladies, pear shaped ladies, apple shaped ladies and those with a beautiful hourglass figure. Everyone can look amazing in trousers this winter, all you need to do is pick the best of the on trend styles for you. Trousers are so perfect and practical for winter as they keep your legs warm and on a windy day don’t lift up in the air revealing your underwear. So here is our guide for the on trend trousers shapes for autumn and winter 2010/2011.

Straight legged

Straight legged trousers are probably the most flattering and wearable of all trousers. They are a classic style and never really go out of fashion so are always a great buy  but this season there will be  a particular focus on this style. They work well for all sorts of outfits from casual to work suits and evening wear. The straight legged trousers works particularly well for pear shaped ladies as the wide leg helps to balance wide hips.

Peg legged/ tapered

The peg legged or tapered trousers style has been on trend for quite a few seasons now and is not showing any sign of going away. This trouser tapers to the ankle giving  a slim fitting style that looks great on taller ladies. It doesn’t work particularly well for pear shaped ladies as the taper tends to emphasise wider thighs.

Skinny

The skinny style of trousers tends to refer to jeans or casual trousers and describes those that cling to the legs from top to ankle. Most people can wear this style of trousers but it is important to consider which length of top looks best. The military style and cargo style skinny trousers are especially on trend this season.

High waisted

A high waisted pair of trousers can be combined with any of the other styles from tapered to wide legged. Generally speaking wide legged trousers are a great way of making legs look longer but can also make bodies look shorter. To show these trousers off at the best, you will need to wear a slightly baggy top tucked in. This style does generally not look good on those with larger stomachs as it draws attention to the area.

Evening Trousers

Evening trousers tend to be made from flowing fabrics that gently skim over your body and drape for a more luxurious feel than trousers for the daytime. Choose from elaborate styles and styles with chiffon  or Georgette layers. For maximum impact wear your evening trousers with a pair of heels.

As with all clothing, it is not just about what you wear as how you wear it. Pay careful attention to the length of your trousers. Straight legged and evening trousers should be long so they almost touch the floor and tend to look best with shoes that have at least a small heel. Tapered and skinny trousers are usually ankle length look good with both heels and flats.

If you are looking for  a piece of clothing that will take you from the summer into the autumn and winter, a tunic is a great choice. It will work equally well with a pair of  long shorts or cropped trousers as it will with a thicker pair of winter trousers. The tunic is definitely a transitional piece.

This Long round neck purple detail blouse looks stunning with a pair of crisp white linen trousers for a special occasion. Add a pretty hair accessory and some strappy sandals and you have  a great outfit that you will be likely to wear time and time again.

This silver and black round neck contrast tunic looks amazing with a pair of black leggings. Add some black ballet pumps or high heels for smart but comfortable look.

This animal print tunic is incredibly on trend and would look equally good with a pair of black trousers or a skirt. It has a necklace integrated into the top and loose fitting sleeves which are extra comfy and great for the autumn and winter or cooler summer days.

This V neck wine floral top is perfect for the summer and looks great with white trousers or can even be worn as a cover up over a swimming costume or bikini. It would work equally well for the day time or evening.

This long line purple flower print tunic is perfect for those who want to stand out in the crowd. It has a really bright and bold pattern that is ideal for the summer and great to wear with trousers or as a beach cover up.

Accessorising tunics is really easy. You can wear a  belt to cinch in at the waist with looser fitting styles or you can also wear a belt slung low over the hips. A long style of necklace that mirrors the long line of the tunic is usually the best option unless the tunic has a v neck when a pendant necklace that sits in the v will also look great. If you need a cover up with either a long or short sleeved tunic for the cooler weather, a cropped cardigan will look amazing. A tailored jacket or wrap can also look great with a tunic top.