Don’t be. This season marks the beginning of watershed changes in fashion, and the only way to see if they will work for you is to try them on. By all means be mindful of what’s best for your body type and lifestyle; but don’t be inhibited by preconceived ideas about what will look good and what won’t. You might be pleasantly surprised with what you see once you’ve plucked up the courage.

For example, if you think that…

• you can’t wear red – you can if you find the correct shade
• you aren’t slim enough to wear skinnies – you are if you match them up with a shapely A-line tunic top
• you can’t wear a belt on your natural waist – you can if you find the right width of belt for your size
• you can’t wear gold – you can if you mix and match it correctly
• you are too pale to wear cream or white – you’re not if you create a contrast with another item of clothing or with your makeup
• voluminous sleeves are too fussy – they’re not if you select three-quarter sleeve lengths
• you are too short to wear longer lengths on top – you’re not if you keep the longer lengths just above your crotch point

If the new look is still too daunting for you, take a fashion savvy friend along for moral support. Be bold and experiment with something that’s different to what you would normally pick out. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Whether it’s elegant or edgy, knitted or woven, plain or printed – no wardrobe is complete without a few pretty girlie tops. If you’re not one for frills and flounces then simpler kimono cuts and tuxedo styles can be just as alluring. Their increasing popularity is due to their tremendous versatility. Girly tops are perfect paired with jeans for smart casual dressing; and slacks or a skirt for business casual attire. Add the drama with ultra-dressy separates and the right accessories, and your outfit is appropriate for any semi-formal occasion. Contrary to what you might think, girly tops are easy items to put together in outfits. Here’s how:

• Add the extra layer – pop a camisole or tank top underneath if it’s sheer; pop a cropped jacket over for a dressier look.
• Add the bottom – jeans (skinny, bootcut or flared), walk shorts, skirts and slacks can all be worn with girly tops. Choose jeans when you want to dress your top down, and slacks or a skirt for a more formal look.
• Add the accessory – keep your jewelry pieces to a minimum when you wear girly tops with lots of detail (like neckties, bows, multiple ruffles and bold prints). Dainty earrings and/or one longer length necklace is best. Cinching in your natural waist with a wide or skinny belt is another good option.

You won’t look back once you’ve got the hang of putting together outfits with girly tops. They’ve become a staple in my wardrobe because they make me feel feminine, well groomed and put together.

Girly tops come in all sorts of silhouettes, colours and fabrications. Anthropologie, Bebe and Nordstrom have a wonderful selection this season.

Vintage and peasant silhouettes from Anthropologie.

Frilly and flouncy options with woven prints from Bebe and Nordstrom add drama.

Simpler knitted options from Nordstrom.

Ballet flats are the new look of comfort and style. Round, pointy and square toed alike – they’re all fabulous and extremely feminine. They are here in full force for autumn and perfect for right now, just before we’re in boots fighting off the cold and rain for months on end. Wear them all season if temperatures remain mild where you live – you can’t go wrong.

Ballet flats (or “skimmers” as they’ve been referred to this season) are very versatile. They’ll work both in casual and smarter dress codes. Wear them with:

• Either bootcut or skinny jeans and pants
• Walk shorts 
• Leggings and a tunic length top
• A pencil skirt if you are at least regular height (5’4″ and above)

Give your precious feet a rest from heels and treat yourself to ballet flats. Patent, red, black, metallic and leopard would be my top choices this season. This fashionable and practical shoe option is just what the doctor ordered for those of us who need to zoot around at high speeds all day. Mums and urbanites – enjoy this fantastic trend!

An abundant assortment of ballet flats or skimmers are available at Zappos.com.

The answer is “no”. Women well into their 60’s and 70’s can wear jeans with style. It’s a question of…

1. Finding a pair with the right cut and wash. Older women need to opt for dark blue washes that are higher in the rise and boot cut at the hem.
2. Matching them with the right tops and shoes. The key is to keep the matched up items a tad smarter then the norm (even for casual purposes).  The older we get, the smarter we need to become in our everyday dressing. Casual collared shirts, styled knit tops with jackets and dressy flats are more age-appropriate than cru-neck t-shirts with sneakers.

60+ women who wear jeans with style not only look effortlessly young for their age, but feel young at heart!