Looking good at 40.

Going back few decades ago, you would reach 40 and would retire from the fashion nest, relocate your wardrobe at Marks & Spencer ensuring you have comfortable cotton knickers as you have been told time was gone for frivolity. Fashion was a youthful and slightly perilous hobby, like rock-climbing.

Since there has been a slight change to the scenario. Divorcing or a come back on the work place at 40-50 is no longer an exception for women. Does that mean we don’t stand any chance to still look good at 40?

Whereas younger women were before favoured in promoting brands, beauty is not any longer regarded in terms of age. Older women, such as Nicole Kidman, Monica Bellucci, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, and the sublime Elle McPherson to name a few get the front cover and prove you can still look fab.

But there has been a twin effect of both empowering and disorienting women. On the one hand, women over 40 can't see any longer why we should wear dull clothing. This is good - it is about valuing ourselves.

On the other hand, there is the luring tale we've swallowed about age being only a number and 40 being the new 30. This is all great news however some haven’t learnt the new rules.

If you take Madonna as an example in her hot pants or Gwyneth Paltrow in her mini and it reminds us that there is "age inappropriate" clothing. Looking young is certainly possible but not at any cost. Having great legs and being able to show them may not imply you get to dress as a 20 something. Maybe we don't look cool and cutting edge in our teen clothes, we just look foolish.

Being aware of an age etiquette is not a discrimination. Women in a desperate attempt to reverse the clock achieve the opposite. They look silly. And men follow the same rule. Even when a man over 40 has a good body he should wear clothes differently than he did in his younger years. For example, even if he has a six-pack and a great butt, he should avoid wearing low cut and tight fitting jeans he might have worn in his 20s and 30s. He can still wear flattering, stylish jeans and t-shirts, but just differently.

So it is grotesque to see some who can afford the best trainers, make-up artists and hairdressers, not to mention pricey little nips and tucks and still dress like Barbie.

10 rules to look good at 40.

It’s not so much what you wear but how you wear it that matters the most.

1. There are certain parts of your body that you have to really watch once you hit your mid-forties: armpits, knees, cleavage, tummy. No matter how fit you are, you will never look as good in a low belted jean as you hope to.

2. Simplicity works better as we get older. This does not mean you need to look dull. A plain basic shirt on a tailored trouser or on a pair of jeans looks great. Add a statement necklace and you’ll look really smart. The well maintained look is key. Too much excentricity looks desperate as we pile on years. Avoid adding weight to your look and keep it simple. Stick to accessories instead.

3. Learn how play with accessories whether it’s the shoes, a bag or a jacket/ coat. Get the part by getting a cutting-edge piece which will be a statement. That’s the grown-up investment that will upgrade your look and be less predictable. So jazz up a classic suit and pair it with some funky shoes. It can take years off you. Subtly surprise your audience rather than bore them. And ditch the precious jewellery on a classic outfit. You are not the show-case of your bank account.

4. Baggy or floaty outfits are great on teanagers and 20’s.Passed 40 and you will look like hiding stones or wearing a potato bag. Older women are always at their best when well groomed. So if you want to stay trendy adapt a loose dress with a quality belt to enhance your waist while smartening up the overall. Or show off your legs and get the edge with smart tights and a great pair of boots.

5. Think more long lasting trends rather than the extreme ones which will only last a season. So chuck away last season’s must-have. On a younger person, it looks okay. On you, it will make you look years older. Teanagers are experimenting and mock the ridicule. Instead you might not be forgiven.

6. Jeans are ageless. Some would say it’s boring, other would wear for any occasions. The key factor in wearing jeans and still looking the part when getting older is to get the right one. Start investing in a good pair which has a cut that suits your body shape, a quality tailored cut and a great colour. Dark blues should be favoured as they give this neat, impeccable look rather than the washed out ones.

7. Underwear are always underestimated when it comes to looking young and that’s where we should start focusing on. So get a proper good fit and indulge in some nice piece you enjoy. Women should be buying nice one for themselves first.

8. Too short hair is ageing. Long hair can look witchy on older women. Get some inches off and get a neat cut. Looking like a babe might not be the point at +40. Make sure your dyed hair is never just one colour, or too dark or light. The more extreme the colour, the more washed-out you look. As your hair get finer layering is good and adding some contrast with highlights helps out.

9. And stay away from the crush diet. Getting in control of your weight does not mean going extreme. Don’t get too thin. It smacks of desperation and makes you look worn. What goes unnoticed at 20’s is maximized at a matured age.

10. Bad foundation in bad light is the biggest enemy of women. Get a make-up lesson. You can't do without it, but you don’t need to advertise it. Looking painted cries for help. Remember, too-red lipstick is for young beauties and dowagers — tread carefully. An old adage: A good make-up is one that goes unnoticed.

For a colour, style or make-up session contact Nathalie at info@renaissanceimage.co.uk

Some of my favourite brands: Gerard Darel; James Lakeland; LK Bennett; Karen Millen;

2009: Style on a shoestring

Day 3:

   For those who thought fashion was just frivolity and estranged to the economy, 2009 has proven just the opposite. When times get tough conspicuous shopping looses its political correctness. The relationship between those two is subtle. A substantial change in the economical climate and you will see fashion trends following up. Fashion adapts to its current environment while retaining the glam effect.

   When the credit crunch struck, restrictions all of the sudden became not an enemy but an ally resulting in a sudden urge for a post-war, more fitted, tailored look. It gives the reassurance of the neat, uncluttered elegant woman. As simple feminity and glamorous trends returned to the fashion stage.combined with a crucial feel good and versatility factors. This transition in 2009 could have been advertised as the "let's go back to our secured values of who we are and what makes us feel good" year. Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Gucci and others designers were still a reference. Meanwhile we saw and heard redundancies one after the other. So when the storms were looming and clouds appeared the party season was launched with glitters and sequins all around. Style helps us to forget the odds of reality.

" We now understand what hangs in our wardrobe: Money!"

    Out of the econimic crash a new breed of consumers was born. The "Recessionistas" have learnt how to adapt in the current economy. T-K Max, Primark and other low budget high street fashion stores have grown in popularity and became part of the wardrobe of those who could still invest in a new designer outfit. Seasonal fashion events in high street stores became a new way of entertaining the clientele, and promoting fashion while clothes swapping parties recycle your wardrobe in a friendly and fun way. Indulging is now translated as investing and creativity as recycling.

"  The art of versatility has become a new trend"

     The sales for most are approaching. Stores like Hobbs and L.K.Bennett have already begun and there are some great bargains to be found. We are on a more limited budget so we are looking for that investment piece to look the part. The fashion industry is showing its understanding and there are a constant flow of deals both in-store or on-line. We now understood what hangs in our wardrobe: Money ! 2009 has unveiled the importance of making the most of selective buying and making the most of what we already have.

      The art of versatility has become the new trend. Wardrobe weeding is a great place to start. See my style consultations on how to make the most of what you already have, adding a few signature pieces, optimising the versatility of your wardrobe. That's the triple play: work, party and weekend. The new art of getting dressed is in how well you get the sense of your wardrobe multi usage.

The importance of staging clothes.

Day 2:

 It is funny how simple details can change a look. I often get clients coming for advices either because they are stuck in rut and need guidance to enhance their look or they just are looking for reassurance. So I help them to add a little extra detail that changes the whole outfit.  This is the whole point of getting your colours right and your clothes tailored for your body shape, and not vice versa. These are the basic rules of looking good.

Anyone can achieve this. Take that knitted tunic which you have ignored in your wardrobe for years. Find some great textured tights (Wolford, Falke for the high end market), high boots (high knee for those more daring) and a statement necklace. You now have a straight-forward, versatile outfit set up to impress. The message you will be sending is "I am approachable, current and feminine". Trying too hard can sometimes go wrong. The answer is often in simplicity spiced up with some details that enhance the whole look. This is the difference between staying at home, being comfy in your clothes and the magic twist of some great accessories to show off your fabulous look to the world. The art of staging clothes is the key to an effortlessly stylish look.

So yes a designer outfit is an investment and with the sales approaching I highly recommends hunting for those bargains before they are all snatched away. Even our celebrities are caught in leggings, a tunic and a pair of Uggs... Casual clothes can create as much Wow factor as a designer brand. Let's show our personality and creativity, and stand out from the crowd!

I don't change people, I enhance their assets and help them feel better about their clothes and their image.  As a result, I see clients' confidence grow right there in front of me. I don't have a magic wand, just a keen eye for style and for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. With some basic tips and some guidance, you can too! See my colour and style consultations.

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPPAHOLIC.

That's it! I did the jump into the Blog world. Twitter and other similar sites are only useful when they facilitate a quicker access to live information. And that is the only purpose of this blog. Delivering informative, unusual tips to a broader audience.

Day 1:

Coccinelle - Sloane Square: Amazing A/W collection to watch out when the sales start. The brand is usually known for their trendy city chic bags. This season it's all about texture with the crocs and patent all in bright, glossy colours but also those muted with a mat finish. The quality leather means you keep them for quite a while and if the bag has a problem- they come with one year warranty- you can always bring it back and have it fixed. That's quality service and shows concern for their reputation. Their shoes and boots are deceptively glam, sexy ... purely italian. The colour scheme proposed for each item means there is a choice in every palette - See my Colour Consultation.

Coccinelle's range also includes accessories such as key rings, gloves and hats and in a trend where accessories are increasingly taking a bigger part in our outfit. So it must be the time to have a serious look in there to grab the finishing touch to your perfect look. My advice is to keep an eye on when the sales start at Coccinelle... It might be wise to wander in Sloane Square after Christmas-New Year and invest in one of those desirable shoes, bags, or other accessories to avoid disappointment... it's already written in my diary!