Ageless elegance for summer: Fashion for the 50-plus woman in its most wearable season

  • Fashion has stopped ignoring the 50-plus woman this summer  
  • Marcelle D'Argy Smith models clothes in which you can be utterly at ease
  • Top picks include a shirt dress, kimono jacket and comfy culottes 

From dresses to cropped trousers and off-the-shoulder tops, there is hardly a trend I have not tried, or an outfit I won't have worn.

Having said this, I do always return to the practical, timeless clothes that have taken me through most of my life - nothing too short, too tight, too revealing.

But the High Street has not been kind to such clothes in recent seasons. Gone are the perfectly tailored shirt, the easy-to-wear skirt, the well-cut jeans, the dress that fits without clinging, the all-important jacket. And in their place have been a series of trends that are far from flattering.

That is until now. For this season, fashion has stopped ignoring the 50-plus woman and entered, as far as I can recall, the most wearable season ever.

COOL KIMONO 

This smart yet simple white-and-navy dress could be the answer to summer events. Wear the navy kimono if it's chilly and add the belt to accentuate the waist. You could be the best dressed woman at the garden party.

COMFY CULOTTES

There is nothing so sweetly charming as a pair of pale pink culottes. More stylish than shorts or tight capr i pant s , t r y updating yours with a Liberty silk or vintage scarf. It'll be noticed - in the right way.

Kimono coat, £275, and dress, £195, thefoldlondon.com Belt, £69, baukjen.com Heels, £129, reiss.com
Blouse, £95, reiss.com Culottes, £40, very.co.uk Scarf, £99, jaeger.co.uk Heels, £198, lucychoilondon.com

Kimono coat, £275, and dress, £195, thefoldlondon.com Belt, £69, baukjen.com Heels, £129, reiss.com (l) and Blouse, £95, reiss.com Culottes, £40, very.co.uk Scarf, £99, jaeger.co.uk Heels, £198, lucychoilondon.com (r)

This year's summer fashion will bring joy to your heart and balance to your wardrobe.

The stylish length for skirts and dresses is now on or below the knee. It always was if you ask me or Victoria Beckham. Head to Cos and Marks & Spencer for affordable alternatives to Victoria's and look designer in a flash.

The kimono jacket, meanwhile, is everywhere and suits everyone. If you've a waist, wear it belted. If not, it's fine to leave it loose, too. My navy silk Zara kimono from a few seasons ago will look new again, especially if teamed with a midi skirt or pair of cropped trousers.

I've been doing the flat shoe thing for years, and can, with purring pleasure, declare that I'm delighted they're back. They're comfortable, you look relaxed and ready to go anywhere. You can run in them, drive in them, and they look good with capri pants or long trousers.

I have French Sole flats in five different colours (prices from £65, frenchsole.com) that I wear with everything. I love comfy Converse trainers (office.co.uk) and chunky white Supergas lace-up plimsolls (schuh.co.uk). 

FLIRTY FUN

A dress for grown-ups with an urge to party, this frock covers your knees, it doesn't do cleavage and hugs every curve. Added to the fact that it flirts for Great Britain.

SUPER SHIRT DRESS 

Blue-and-white stripes always show off fresh, low-key glamour. Pair with pale-blue strappy heels for the promenade, or sandals if you're on a beach holiday.

Dress, £279, emilevidalcarr. com Heels, £135, reiss.com
Stripe shirt dress, £40, warehouse.co.uk Heels, £29.99, zara.com (r)

Dress, £279, emilevidalcarr. com Heels, £135, reiss.com (l) and Stripe shirt dress, £40, warehouse.co.uk Heels, £29.99, zara.com (r)

Ever since I saw a very stylish woman in Henley last year wearing a vintage silk neck scarf with a T-shirt, I've been copying the look religiously. Now it's one of the looks of this season, and with great reason.

Jaeger and Boden offer several not-too-pricey plain white tops, and they look great with trousers, as well as jeans and mid-length skirts.

I can boast a white silk trench coat bought on sale from Joseph one freezing day last January, and thankfully now both white and trench coats are a fabulous trend this season.

We have also seen the return of the shirt dress - an eternally flattering, easy-to-wear item in any woman's wardrobe.

WHITE WONDER 

If you insist on eating at five-star restaurants and don't mind turning heads, then this is the perfect outfit. White and wonderful. Pair with lots of confidence (but you'll need a good dry cleaner). 

FAB FLATS

The I'm utterly-at-ease, where-shall-we-go look of flat shoes, long trousers and a well-fitted T-shirt means you can't go wrong. You can go anywhere.

Cape jacket, £69.99, zara.com Dress, £179, reiss.com Shoes, £180, lkbennett.com
Top, £89, and trousers, £110, reiss.com Flats, £215, lucychoilondon.com

Cape jacket, £69.99, zara.com Dress, £179, reiss.com Shoes, £180, lkbennett.com (l) and Top, £89, and trousers, £110, reiss.com Flats, £215, lucychoilondon.com (r)

The idea this season is that you can mix classic clothes with a dash of the unexpected or a splash of your own personality. And yes, anyone can do this.

Pair a brilliantly-coloured bag with a simple, pale-coloured dress - as Amal Clooney did recently with her striking orange Tod's tote. Brightly coloured shoppers can be found in Zara and Oasis this summer. Or wear a loose denim or crisp shirt and trousers with glittery, patterned or leopard-print flats - try Dune for some pretty animal print slip-ons.

You can be utterly at ease in these clothes, while knowing you're bang on trend. It's the sexiest look of all. Being seen to be trying too hard was never a good look.

This summer, for more than one reason you can hum 'these are a few of my favourite things' while you shop.

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