I’m a stylist and here’s my 10 rules to stop women over 50 from looking like ‘mutton’ – including shoes you MUST banish

THERE’s a fine line between sexy and stylish and the dreaded “mutton dressed as lamb”. For many women, that balancing act becomes trickier from around 50 onwards. Top stylist Nicky Hambleton-Jones reveals her simple dos and don’ts of dressing stylish and sexy when you’re over-50 Credit: Supplied Nicole Kidman gets away with wearing a tuxedo with nothing underneath due to the tailoring Credit: Getty Menopause often brings changes in body shape and confidence, meaning the outfits that once felt effortless may no longer have quite the same effect. The answer isn’t to dress older – it’s to dress differently. Updating your style to suit the body you have now, rather than the one you had 20 years ago, can make all the difference. So how do you get it right? There are a few guiding principles, but restraint is often the secret. The more flesh you flash, the harder it becomes to make an outfit look elegant. And with a lot of flesh on display, you’ll look as though you’re chasing your younger wardrobe. It’s about getting the balance – what you show and what, importantly, you conceal is what matters. You absolutely don’t have to cover up, but be realistic about what you think you should show off, and what you shouldn’t. If you want to wear a strapless dress, if you have lovely arms and decolletage, then absolutely – go for it. But if they are not features you’re most confident about, draw attention elsewhere instead. There are other ways to show off some flesh in a tasteful way. A thigh-high split can look brilliant. A backless dress can be very elegant and ageless. It’s about how it’s done. Where a backless dress is lovely, you want to dodge cut-outs on the side of the tummy, having nothing in the middle of a dress, which looks odd, or having too much cleavage on show. When it comes to colour, go for it. Some people might associate bright colour with mutton dressed a lamb, but generally I don’t think colour is trashy at all. On the contrary, colour is really flattering on a midlife or older woman. It’s not the colour but the tightness of it that creates a mutton-look. At the end of the day though, don’t be afraid to wear what you want. You don’t want to be worrying, am I too old for this? Just be mindful of balance. Think of Nicole Kidman wearing a tuxedo with nothing underneath. She gets away with it; the tailoring offsets it. Leaving something to the imagination is a good way to balance it out. You’ll get it spot on if you follow these simple dos and don’ts… KEEP MINI SKIRTS AT MID THIGH Mini skirts are great at any age if you get the proportions right, as Charlize Theron, 50, proves – mid-thigh is better than ultra-short Credit: Getty A mini skirt can absolutely work at any age, but the key is proportion. Aim for mid-thigh rather than ultra-short styles, and balance the look with more coverage on top. How you style it makes all the difference too – pairing a mini with elegant flats or loafers feels far more modern than sky-high heels. A softly structured A-line or circle skirt is often more flattering than a skin-tight bodycon, while a strapless mini dress can feel like too much. Think polished rather than provocative. DON’T AVOID ANIMAL PRINTS Sofia Vergara, 54, is proof that animal print doesn’t have to make you look like ‘mutton’ Credit: Shutterstock Editorial You might instinctively associate animal print with mutton, but it doesn’t have to look that way. The key is choosing the right style and print. Pick a dress that flatters your shape – a V-neck works well for a fuller bust, while a belted style can help define the waist if you’re pear-shaped. Opt for cotton or jersey fabrics over shiny satin, and look for darker leopard, zebra or more abstract animal prints, which tend to feel fresher and more sophisticated than the classic, high-contrast leopard print that has become a little overdone. BEWARE SHINY FABRICS J-Lo, 57, stunned at Wimbledon in a flattering dress with a matte fabric Credit: Getty Shiny satin and high-sheen fabrics can be unforgiving because they catch the light, drawing attention to every crease and contour. As our bodies naturally change with age, softer, more matte fabrics are often a more flattering choice. If you do wear satin, look for styles with structure and elegant draping rather than anything too clingy. It’s also worth avoiding outfits that reveal your bra or rely on lots of exposed skin – looking chic is about creating an appealing silhouette, not showing everything off. AVOID STRAPPY PLATFORM HEELS… DO THIS INSTEAD You don’t have to give up heels, just like Mel C, 52, but lots of straps can make your outfit feel dated Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Sky-high platform heels with lots of straps can instantly make an outfit feel dated. Instead, opt for a lower heel in a more understated style and a neutral colour. You don’t have to give up heels altogether – just dial back the height and fussiness. A sleek court shoe, timeless sandal or classic block heel will always look more timeless than towering platforms. CLEAVAGE CAN COME OUT – TASTEFULLY Nicole Kidman leaves more to the imagination and looks very elegant Credit: Getty There’s nothing wrong with showing a little cleavage, but leaving more to the imagination often looks far more elegant. Rather than putting everything on display, create interest elsewhere in your outfit. Details such as a split sleeve, an off-the-shoulder neckline or a beautifully tailored silhouette can feel just as sexy without revealing too much. The aim is to look confident and stylish, rather than relying on showing lots of skin. KEEP BUM CHEEKS HIDDEN Denim shorts with a slightly longer length, such as 45-year-old Natalie Portman’s, look great at any age Credit: Getty Denim shorts can look great at any age, but fit is everything. Avoid ultra-short, frayed styles that reveal the bottom of your bum, as they can look more scruffy than stylish. Instead, choose a tailored pair with a clean hem and a slightly longer length. Going up a size, if needed, can also help create a more relaxed, flattering fit. It’s those small details that elevate a pair of denim shorts from casual to effortlessly chic. GO EASY ON EYESHADOW Do less eyeshadow like Michelle Dockery Credit: Shutterstock Editorial When it comes to make-up, less is often more. If you’re wearing a bold red lipstick – and there’s absolutely no reason to give that up – keep your eyes more neutral to create balance. Equally, if you love a dramatic smoky eye or colourful eyeshadow, opt for a softer lip instead. The trick is to let one feature take centre stage, rather than competing for attention. The same goes for the rest of your look. Extra-long, brightly coloured nails, towering heels, statement prints and heavy make-up can all feel a little overdone when worn together. Instead, choose one or two standout elements and keep the rest sophisticated and understated. The overall effect will feel far more chic than trying to make everything the star of the show. DON’T BANISH BLONDE DYE Sophie Wessex’s hair is blonde but also in excellent condition Credit: Getty When it comes to hair, condition is far more important than colour. While hairdressers often talk about overly “brassy blonde” shades looking ageing, healthy, glossy hair will always look more stylish than brittle, over-processed locks. Focus on improving texture and shine first, then think about colour. It’s also worth avoiding anything too overdone – huge extensions can look a little excessive, whereas a sleek ponytail or low bun will always feel polished and chic. DITCH THE BLING Resist wearing multiple statement pieces like Charlize who lets her necklace take centre stage Credit: Getty Like it or not, oversized diamante jewellery and chunky gemstone pieces have become associated with the mutton dressed as lamb stereotype. The easiest way to avoid that is to resist wearing multiple statement pieces together. Let one standout necklace or pair of earrings take centre stage, and keep everything else simple for a more refined, sophisticated look. DON’T OVERDO THE FAKE TAN A healthy glow can look fantastic, but heavy fake tan is no longer as fashionable as it once was. Overly dark or orange tones can emphasise fine lines and leave skin looking less natural. Instead, opt for a lighter, more believable tan that simply adds warmth to the complexion. A subtle finish will always look more modern than an obviously artificial tan.