Older. Cooler.

Not dead yet, not quite beginning with a 4 but not many months to go. But actually more sorted now than turning 20 or 30. Not to mention definitely better dressed, if only down to being a lot more confident than facing into either of those birthdays! Oh, and I owe great skin to Protect & Perfect, been on it for three years and no ones guessing which birthday is coming up!

Love them or hate them, the likes of Trinny & Susannah and Gok thingy give good advice. Get an honest friend to describe your shape and then look that shape up in T&S's latest book. Always try things on and be honest with yourself - don't buy things that look ok or all right - only buy what looks and FEELS fabulous. If you don't want to look like mutton, don't shop in the same place as all the 15 year olds - but it's okay to shop with the 20/30/40's and remember that fashionable and 'trendy' are two very different things. Choosing the right shapes and fit are most important. Finally don't fret about it, if you are comfortable in your own skin that confidence shows and you're more likely to be able to carry-off whatever outfit you are wearing.

hi just happened to fall on this site...glad i did iam 52 and feel like i just started to like my shape but got a delemma i dont know what siuts me now and dont want to dress as "mutton" im told i look 40 and i have a good shape joaane

Yes I agree with that completely, but having smoked when younger, having been in the sun too much too my skin has suffered a little. Whilst I also look young for my age the lines around the eyes are a bit of a give away and am anxious to try and lessen them without spending a fortune. However, the biggest give away is probably the neck and that is harder to deal with with creams! Whilst I am coming to terms with getting older, and therefore looking it, I will try and slow down the process. I am adamant I wont succumb to needles or knives and hope I still feel the same in 10 years time !

being honest, I am not convinced by any hype about skincare products - the biggest factors are genes, diet, sun damage and smoking. I look really young for my age, as did my mum. I don't smoke, have a fair diet and use a cheap moisturiser every day (Simple replenishing) which has an spf filter. I have younger frinds who buy expensive hyped products, but the look a lot older. If it's all gone wrong already than I think the only options open to someone who is bothered involve needles or knives. Good clothes and a bottle of hair dye are less radical ways of looking younger but the face will give you away.

Skincare, I am religiously sticking with the Boots stuff, giving it a few months to see if it is all that it's hyped up to be, difficult to tell but it's not doing any harm! My best cheapest skinny jeans have been from Gap , LK Bennett (slightly more expensive but still much cheaper than the gorgeous American 7 for all Mankind) and Massimo Dutti, which I think is a fab shop for our age group! Aaarrgh, hurts saying that. I think I had a major panic as all the fashions for Autumn/Winter 07 came bursting on the scene, with lots of younger looks, but realised pretty quickly that as always its perfectly possible to adapt a what I already have in my wardrobe and b to my slightly older years and c be comfortable in what I want to wear rather than people telling me what to where. And yes, I admit to cashmere being my thing too at the moment, took advantage of a 20% off Brora offer a month or so agao and got a couple of gorgeous jumpers from them, still expensive but worth it.

I absoloutely agree with your comment GIJayne about getting a proper bra fitting. I had a fitting at M&S recently, and yep, was wearing the wrong size bra. Also, I do want to upgrade to better quality fabrics and fibres. Cashmere is my thing at the mo. Bought a lovely cashmere jumper from Jigsaw this month. And I've just done a search here under Cashmere and found a gorgeous cashmere coat (NOTHS too as it happens!). Skincare, I'm trying Dermalogica right now, though I was temped by some much cheaper natural night cream from the Body Shop. Any one tried it?

I absoloutely agree with your comment GIJayne about getting a proper bra fitting. I had a fitting at M&S recently, and yep, was wearing the wrong size bra. Also, I do want to upgrade to better quality fabrics and fibres. Cashmere is my thing at the mo. Bought a lovely cashmere jumper from Jigsaw this month. And I've just done a search here under Cashmere and found a gorgeous cashmere coat (NOTHS too as it happens!). Skincare, I'm trying Dermalogica right now, though I was temped by some much cheaper natural night cream from the Body Shop. Any one tried it?

I had the pleasure of sharing my train journey into work this morning with the most stylish middle-aged lady I have seen for a long long time. Her outfit, accessories and mannerism spoke volumes. She was one of those people that look fabulous making no effort whatsoever. I hope I can be like that when I reach her age...