De-Frump Your Jacket

A smart blazer is the ultimate outfit completer piece. If your go-to blazer isn’t tailored to fit you with a slimmish profile that’s chic enough to wear day or night, it’s time for an upgrade.

JACKET SHAPE UPDATE

A jacket or blazer is the sartorial glue that will hold your look together, so, to keep you out of the frump zone, it’s important to pay real attention to fit. Short, waist-grazing jackets are a definite no-no. Opt for well-cut, just slightly oversized, single or double-breasted blazers and jackets; look for the length to hit somewhere around mid-hip and opt for just a slightly defined waist. This season, as well as black, you’ll find that tones are relatively soft and safe and self-belted blazers are on trend. Buyer beware of frumpy fabrics. While velvet is a young woman’s fabric these days, be careful how you wear it.

ONE STEP AHEAD

Swapping out boots and shoes for cool sneakers in the autumn, even if you are dressing up, gives your whole look a more youthful edge. Invest in cool designer trainers from the likes of Golden Goose or Margaret Howell.

Pictured left: STYLISH: Italian fashion designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, 57. After Fendi, Grazia Chiuri spent 17 years at Valentino before becoming creative director at Dior. Her 24-year-old daughter Rachele Regini is her muse. Pictured right: FRUMPY: Coronation Street’s infamous dowdy character Hayley Cropper.

BLOUSE BEWARE

Keep things in the blouse department modern and simple. Think classic cuts made in a luxury fabrics with modern detailing, as opposed to ruffles or chiffon. Choose a palette of colours that work for you and keep it in mind when you’re shopping. Layer creatively; swap out a pretty blouse for polo or turtle-neck with an athleisure edge.

ACCESSORIES

Bring some lighthearted accessories into your wardrobe, they’ll really add personality to your look.

BEAUTY TIP

NO MORE NUDE You’ve worn the same lip colour for years. Consider warming it up a bit for autumn: soft, lip-conditioning bareMinerals Mineralist LipGlossBalm in Wonder is a great halfway house, more than a lip balm but not at all harsh or drying on lips. €24.50, at counters nationwide. SH

De-Frump Your Trousers

While you might not be able to pull off this season’s XL floor-sweeping pants without looking a little try-hard, there are a few tips that will help. The right trousers for your shape will follow your silhouette: wide-leg hems balance bigger hips, front creases elongate the leg and if you’re petite, skinnier styles will give the illusion of height. The right length is key. Alter to work with a modern shoe and you’ll be bang up to date.

TAILORING TRICKS

The 1980s called; they want their ill-fitting slacks back. Ill-fitting, unflattering clothes will date and age your entire look. A good tailor can instantly upgrade your entire wardrobe. The best part? It’s affordable. The Zip Yard will help you restyle, refit and retrend old clothing. www.thezipyard.ie.

Left: Miuccia Prada, 73, is the force behind Prada and Miu Miu. The patron saint of fashion, she is well known for her personal style (she specialises in polished, modern daywear) and as the designer who dresses legions of women, young and old, around the world. Right: Choose trousers that are the appropriate length to avoid material bunching around the ankles. 

COLOUR THERAPY

For a youthifying tonic, give all-black a break and look at colour. Don’t be afraid of deploying colour in small bursts. You can keep things monochrome with one hue or have lots of fun with multiple shades.

BEAUTY TIP

GET YOUR GLOW BACK Honestly, we’re not going to advocate “dolphin skin”, as it’s called on Instagram – sounds too weird – but a bit of a glow is generally welcome when it comes to skin. Avoid powdery products: most people only need a bit of powder on the shiny T-zone. Prep skin with brightening serums and day creams. Clarins Nutri-Lumière skincareis designed to put the light back into mature skin (designed for ages 60-plus). From €110, at counters nationwide. SH

De-Frump Your Weekend Wardrobe

It’s all about comfort when it comes to what you wear on a Saturday but it doesn’t mean you need to compromise on style. Ditch starched chinos and fast-track the tweed blazer, denims and luxe leather accessories look. A buttoned-up shirt and modest accessories are essential.

REFRESH YOUR DENIM

A good pair of jeans is essential. Step out of your supermarket-bought jeans, they are great on the comfort front (because of their high elastane count), but, on the whole, they won’t do you any favours. Select a silhouette that suits you. Straight-leg and flared-leg jeans are still the most up-to-date cuts. Higher-waisted jeans enhance most figures. Pay attention to logos and trims, nothing ages you like frumpy, glitzy embellishment. It is worth investing time in finding the right pair: you’ll look younger than ever.

Style maven and entrepreneur (co-founder of fashion company Moda Operandi) Lauren Santo Domingo, 45, cites Anna Wintour, 71, and Carolina Herrera, 82, as her style role models because of the way they embrace their own style uniform but keep it updated with accessories. 

EMBRACE THE RIGHT HEEL

Something as simple as choosing the right heel can make you look younger. If you haven’t yet invested in a pair of sleek, kitten-heel slingbacks (in a modern shape), this is your year. Check out COS, Christina Dior and Prada. Or, gain a couple of extra inches with a pair of prim-but-comfortable, cone-heeled shoes. A good pair of leather boots will make ALL the difference. There’s a common school of thought that says you should pack your knee-high boots away once you hit 50 – sod that! Ankle boots may be classic, but kneehighs lend louche elegance to midi dresses, and skirts.

BEAUTY TIP

SCENT SHIFT Spray something different – if you tend to wear florals, try darkened rose and patchouli for a change, or go for something herbal and leafy. Defy the season and, refuse to give up on summer with Armani/Prive Cyprés Pantelleria (from €106), a fresh bright green waft of earthy cypress trees and clary sage, vetiver and patchouli. SH